Methods and Reagents for Diagnosing Hantavirus Infection

Abstract

Novel methods and immunodiagnostic test kits for the detection of hantavirus infection are disclosed. The methods and kits employ combinations of recombinant N and/or G1 antigens from at least six different hantavirus serotypes, including Hantann (HTNV), Puumala (PUUV), Seoul (SEOV), Dobrava (DOBV), Sin Nombre (SNV) and Andes (ANDV). Additional hantavirus antigens from these and other hantavirus types may also be present. The methods provide for highly accurate results and allow the detection of infection so that treatment can be administered and death avoided.

1 . A hantavirus recombinant N antigen, said N antigen comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:34. 
     
     
         2 . The N antigen of  claim 1 , wherein said N antigen comprises an amino acid sequence with at least about 75% identity to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:51, and SEQ ID NO:52. 
     
     
         3 . A hantavirus recombinant N antigen, said N antigen comprising an amino acid sequence with at least about 75% identity to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:50, and SEQ ID NO:53. 
     
     
         4 . The N antigen of  claim 2  or  3 , wherein said N antigen comprises an amino acid sequence with at least about 90% identity to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:50, and SEQ ID NO:53. 
     
     
         5 . The N antigen of  claim 4 , wherein said N antigen comprises an amino acid sequence with at least about 95% identity to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:50, and SEQ ID NO:53. 
     
     
         6 . The N antigen of  claim 5 , wherein said N antigen comprises an amino acid sequence with at least about 98% identity to a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:50, and SEQ ID NO:53. 
     
     
         7 . The N antigen of  claim 6 , wherein said N antigen comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:50, and SEQ ID NO:53. 
     
     
         8 . An immunodiagnostic test kit for detecting hantavirus infection, said test kit comprising the N antigen of  claim 1  or  3 .