Retrovirus from the HIV group and its use

Abstract

A novel immunodeficiency virus is disclosed which has the designation MVP-5180/91 and which has been deposited with the European Collection of Animal Cell Cultures (ECACC) under No. V 920 52 318. The characteristic antigens which can be obtained from it and which can be employed for detecting antibodies against retroviruses which are associated with immunodeficiency diseases are also disclosed, as are the DNA and amino acid sequences of the virus.

1 - 39 . (canceled)  
     
     
         40 . An antigen comprising a peptide present in the ENV protein of MvP-5180/91, wherein the peptide is at least 6 amino acids in length and comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:35, and wherein the antigen reacts with an antibody that can react with HIV-O.  
     
     
         41 . The antigen of  claim 40 , wherein the peptide is present in SEQ ID NO:46.  
     
     
         42 . The antigen of  claim 40 , wherein the peptide is at least 10 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         43 . The antigen of  claim 40 , wherein the peptide is at least 15 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         44 . The antigen of  claim 40 , wherein the peptide is at least 16 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         45 . The antigen of  claim 40 , wherein the peptide is from 6 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         46 . The antigen of  claim 40 , wherein the amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:35 is alanine-alanine-glycine-serine-threonine-methionine.  
     
     
         47 . The antigen of  claim 46 , wherein the peptide is from 6 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         48 . The antigen of  claim 46 , wherein the peptide is from 10 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         49 . The antigen of  claim 46 , wherein the peptide is from 15 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         50 . The antigen of  claim 46 , wherein the peptide is from 16 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         51 . A process for detection of antibodies that can react with an epitope of HIV-O, said process comprising: 
 (a) providing a sample containing at least one antibody obtained from a patient to be tested for infection with an HIV virus;    (b) providing at least one antigen comprising a peptide present in the ENV protein of MvP-5180/91, wherein the peptide is at least 6 amino acids in length and comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:35;    (c) combining the sample and the at least one antigen under conditions where the at least one peptide and the at least one antibody can specifically react with each other; and    (d) determining whether the at least one antigen and the at least one antibody specifically react with each other,    wherein the reaction indicates the presence in the sample of antibodies that can react with an epitope of HIV-O.    
     
     
         52 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the peptide is at least 10 amino acids long.  
     
     
         53 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the peptide is at least 15 amino acids long.  
     
     
         54 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the peptide is at least 16 amino acids long.  
     
     
         55 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the peptide is from 6 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         56 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the peptide is from 10 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         57 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the peptide is from 15 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         58 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the peptide is from 16 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         59 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the process is chosen from an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a Western blot.  
     
     
         60 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the sample is human serum.  
     
     
         61 . The process of  claim 51 , wherein the amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:35 is alanine-alanine-glycine-serine-threonine-methionine.  
     
     
         62 . The process of  claim 51 , further comprising providing at least one antigen comprising a peptide present in the ENV protein of a non-Group O HIV-1 virus and at least one antigen comprising a peptide present in the ENV protein of an HIV-2 virus, wherein the process detects antibodies that can react with HIV-O, HIV-1, and HIV-2.  
     
     
         63 . A test kit for detecting antibodies that can react with HIV-O comprising 
 (a) an antigen comprising a peptide present in the ENV protein of MvP-5180/91, wherein the peptide is at least 6 amino acids in length and comprises an amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:35, and wherein the antigen reacts with an antibody that can react with HIV-O, and    (b) ancillary reagents suitable for use in detecting the presence of antibodies to the antigen in a biological sample.    
     
     
         64 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the peptide is at least 10 amino acids long.  
     
     
         65 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the peptide is at least 15 amino acids long.  
     
     
         66 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the peptide is at least 16 amino acids long.  
     
     
         67 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the peptide is from 6 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         68 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the peptide is from 10 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         69 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the peptide is from 15 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         70 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the peptide is from 16 amino acids in length to 33 amino acids in length.  
     
     
         71 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the test is chosen from an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a Western blot.  
     
     
         72 . The test kit of  claim 63 , wherein the amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO:35 is alanine-alanine-glycine-serine-threonine-methionine.