Evaluation of a chimeric peptide NS4 and NS5 for HCV antibody detection

Abstract

Elisa tests are widely used for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection because of their sensitivity and specificity Most of the Elisas are based on the use of synthetic peptides. At present, chimeric peptides are being used. In the present study, a chimeric peptide with immunodominant sequences of the NS4 and NS5 nonstructural regions of the hepatitis C virus was synthesized. The representative peptide of the two sequences was separated by a glycineglycine spacer. The peptide was tested as antigen in an UMELISA assay, using positive samples (n=30), negative samples (n=40) and a panel from Boston Biomedica Inc. (n=40). Results from the NS4 and NS5 chimeric peptide were compared with the results from the NS4 and NS5 individual peptides and with the mixture of these two peptides. Results of individual peptides coincide with those previously reported. The mixture of the two peptides did not increase the detection of positive samples, but the chimeric peptide increased sensitivity.