Method for generating antibodies to saccharide fragments

A method for producing antibodies specific for a saccharide fragment, said method comprising:

• a) providing an immunogen comprising a saccharide fragment product conjugated to a carrier, said saccharide fragment product being produced by degrading a larger polysaccharide, the polysaccharide being larger than the saccharide fragment product and said polysaccharide comprising at least one covalent bond between a C1 anomeric carbon of an aldose residue and an oxygen atom of a second residue in a -D or -L glycosidic linkage;
• said degrading comprising:
• 1) protecting free hydroxyl groups on the larger polysaccharide;
• 2) reacting the larger polysaccharide with ozone to oxidize the C1 anomeric carbon, thus converting the aldose residue to an aldonic acid ester residue;
• and
• 3) cleaving the aldonic acid ester residue to form the saccharide fragment;
• and
• b) administering said immunogen to a suitable host.