HIV nucleocapsid protein capture assay and method of use

Abstract

An antigen capture method, and an antigen capture assay diagnostic kit, for detecting the presence or concentration of HIV in a biological sample without interference from antigen-antibody immune complexes is provided. The lysate of a biological sample obtained from an animal is contacted with a detectable mount of an antibody specifically reactive with the nucleocapsid p7 antigen or an immunoreactive fragment of the p7 antigen for a time and under conditions sufficient for p7 antigen contained in the lysate to form a p7-antibody complex. The presence or concentration of this p7-antibody complex is determined to detect or quantitate the presence of HIV in the biological sample. Uses of this assay and method include detecting the presence of HIV infection in an infant born to an HIV-infected mother, monitoring the progression of HIV infection, and evaluating the effectiveness of an anti-HIV treatment administered to an animal, such as a human. Purified antibodies specifically reactive with an immunoreactive epitope specific to p7 or an immunoreactive fragment of p7 are also provided as well as an antigen capture method for detecting the presence of a lentivirus in a biological sample involving the nucleocapsid protein of the lentivirus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.