Antibodies against human herpes virus-6(HHV-6) and method of use

Abstract

A new human B lymphotropic virus, also designated human herpesvirus-6, has been isolated. DNA, molecular clones, antigenic viral proteins and antibodies having specificity to the new virus have been prepared. Various utilities of the new virus and products derived therefrom have been described.

1. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to an antigenic molecule from an isolated human herpes virus having
 wherein said isolated human herpes virus has the morphology of a human herpes virus and a double-stranded DNA genome of about 170 Kb,  
 wherein genomic DNA from said isolated human herpes virus hybridizes under stringent conditions with comprises a nucleic acid sequence of molecular clone ZVH14 (ATCC Accession No. 40,247); and  
 further wherein said first nucleic acid antibody does not hybridize under said stringent conditions with the nucleic acid of specifically bind to an antigenic molecule from  
 (a) Epstein-Barr virus;  
 (b) human cytomegalovirus (CMV);  
 (c) Herpes Simplex virus (HSV);  
 (d) Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV); or  
 (e) Herpes virus saimiri.  
 
     
     
       2. A method of detecting HHV-6 human herpesvirus-   6   ( HHV -   6   ) in a biological sample comprising the steps of:
 (a) contacting the biological sample with the antibody of  claim 1 , under conditions such that the antibody will specifically bind to a human herpes virus antigenic molecule present in said biological sample whereby a complex is formed of antibody and antigenic molecule; and  
 (b) detecting for the presence or absence of the complex.  
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein said method comprises a western blot. 
     
     
       4. A method of detecting in a biological sample an antibody that specifically binds an antigen from an isolated human herpes virus, said method comprising the steps of:
 ( a )  contacting the biological sample with said human herpes virus antigen, under conditions such that the antibody will specifically bind to the human herpes virus antigen, whereby a complex is formed of antibody and human herpes virus antigen; and      ( b )  detecting the presence or the absence of the complex,        wherein said isolated human herpes virus has the morphology of a human herpes virus and a double - stranded DNA genome of about  170  Kb,        wherein genomic DNA from said isolated human herpes virus comprises a nucleic acid sequence of molecular clone ZVH 14   ( ATCC Accession No.  40 , 247   ) ; and        further wherein said antibody does not specifically bind to an antigenic molecule from    ( i )  Epstein - Barr virus;      ( ii )  human cytomegalovirus  ( CMV ) ;      ( iii )  Herpes Simplex virus  ( HSV ) ;      ( iv )  Varicella - Zoster virus  ( VSV ) ; or      ( v )  Herpes virus saimiri.        
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the biological sample is serum.  
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the biological sample is from a patient.  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said method comprises an immunofluorescence assay.  
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said method comprises an ELISA.  
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the antigen is immobilized on a solid surface before the step of contacting.  
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the antigen is immobilized onto nitrocellulose.  
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein said method comprises a Western blot.  
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the human herpes virus antigen is present on an intact herpes virion.