Description of Invention:
Reagents and protocols for extremely sensitive ELISA for use as a SARS diagnostic are described. The ELISA uses recombinant-expressed nucleoprotein (N) or spike (S) glycoprotein from the SARS coronavirus as capture antigens. As little as five (5) days after onset, detection of antibody response is possible. The ELISA described herein is more sensitive than existing technology because of the N and S proteins; existing ELISAs use formalin-inactivated whole virus or peptides.
Also described are DNA Vaccines (CMV/R-SARS-S plasmid) including a nucleic acid encoding the peptide of SARS Spike glycoprotein, the RSV enhancer, the mouse ubiquitin enhancer (mUBB), and the CMV enhancer [Xu et al. Nature Med. 1998 Jan;4(1):37-42]. Optionally the HTLV-1 R region [Takebe et al. Mol Cell Biol. 1988 Jan;8(1):466-472] is also included.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Cristina Thalhammer-Reyero PhD MBA
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-4507
Email: thalhamc@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
