| abstract |
PCT No. PCT/GB95/00208 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 28, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 28, 1995 PCT Filed Feb. 2, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95/21189 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 10, 1995A variant or so-called "escape mutant" HBsAg protein or fragment thereof displaying the antigenicity of hepatitis B virus surface antigen is disclosed, in which the mutant protein or fragment thereof (mHBsAg) comprises a modified 'a' determinant in which at least two amino acids are inserted downstream of position 122 of the wild type HBsAg sequence. A vaccine comprising the mHBsAg is provided, as is a kit for diagnostic in vitro detection of anti-mHBsAg antibodies and an antibody preparation comprising anti-mHBsAg antibodies. |