Oxidized viruses or viral antigens and utilization for diagnostic prophylactic and/or therapeutic applications

摘要

Novel and improved methods for diagnosis, prognosis, prophylaxis and therapy of viral infections are described. The novel methods employ a virus, viral antigen or fragment thereof in which "perturbation" of an oligosaccharide moiety renders the virus, viral antigen or fragment thereof more specifically recognizable or reactive with neutralizing antibody. As described, "perturbation" of an oligosaccharide moiety encompasses a variety of modifications such has one that (1) alters the chemical or physical structure of a carbohydrate residue that is naturally present; (2) that removes, wholly or in part, a carbohydrate residue; and/or (3) that prevents or alters addition of a carbohydrate residue. A variety of different methods for oligosaccharide "perturbation" are also described. In particular, the carbohydrate residue is altered by an oxidizing agent.