Advanced Assay Development of Diagnostic Tests for Hepatitis E. Phase 2.

摘要

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections represent a major health problem in developing countries. Presently, we have a limited understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of the HEV. The goal of this phase II proposal was to develop diagnostic tests for HEV. Purification of recombinant HEV antigens augmented the development of serologic assays useful for large serosurveys. The prototype diagnostic test for HEV is convenient, sensitive and specific for anti-HEV. Our ELISA methodology detects both IgG and IgM specific anti-HEV and is therefore useful in diagnosing acute and past HEV infection. HEV infection can be verified by the presence of IgM antibody in the acute phase, seroconversion of IgG antibody in the convalescent phase, or by detection of HEV sequences in serum. With the recent development of serologic assays that distinguish acute and past hepatitis E infection, we are currently able to: (1) measure the worldwide prevalence of the virus, (2) access its endemicity, (3) determine the duration of antibody, and (4) engage in disease association studies to correlate antibody response with immunity.