SEVERE ACUTE RESPIRATORY SYNDROME (SARS) POLYPEPTIDES, ANTIBODIES TO SARS POLYPEPTIDES AND THE USE THEREOF IN DIAGNOSTIC, VACCINATION AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

摘要

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) polypeptides and bioconjugates of the polypeptides and a hyaluronic acid polymer are described. The bioconjugates of SARS antigenic polypeptides can be immobilized on a solid support and used to diagnose patients infected with the SARS virus. The immobilized bioconjugates can also be used to isolate SARS antibodies from the serum of recovered SARS patients. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the bioconjugates are also disclosed. The pharmaceutical compositions can be used to treat patients infected with the SARS virus or to immunize patients believed to have been exposed to the SARS virus.