MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY RECOGNIZING A PRE-S1 REGION OF THE LARGE ENVELOPE PROTEIN OF THE B HEPATITIS VIRUS

摘要

The invention relates to a monoclonal antibody characterized in that it forms an immunological complex with an epitope comprised between the amino acids situated in positions 32 and 53 of the region pre-S1 of the large envelope protein S of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The invention also relates to the applications of said monoclonal antibody, particularly for the in vitro diagnosis of the evolution of chronical hepatitis B in an individual infected by HBV, as well as for the treatment and vaccination against said disease.