The present invention relates to an immunoassay for the detection of Borrelia specific IgG, IgM and IgG/IgM antibodies in biological samples suspected of Lyme infection. The immunoassay can be performed via a standard immunoassay format or on an automated platform. In various embodiments, the immunoassay uses one or more Borrelia specific chimeric peptides VlsE-FlaB (designated pFlaB-mV), VlsE-ErpP (designated pErp59-mV), VlsE-P35 (designated pP35-mV) alone or in combination with one or more outer surface protein C (Osp C) types B or I, p58 and DbpA. Other aspects of the invention provide antigen/substrate combinations and compositions comprising combinations of the disclosed peptides and/or proteins for use in the immunoassays described herein.

A fragment of a virulent peptide named phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) having anti-bacterial activity and methods for eliminating bacteria are provided.

Polypeptides of the p-ORF2 protein of the hepatitis E virus, including at least the amino acid sequence 394-660, numbered in relation to a p-ORF2 protein of 660 amino acids, in which the three cysteines at positions 627, 630 and 638 have been mutated or, for a p-ORF2 protein of different length, at least the amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 394-660 of the p-ORF2 protein of 660 amino acids, in which the three cysteines located at the three positions corresponding to positions 627, 630 and 638 of the p-ORF2 protein of 660 amino acids have been mutated. Also, methods for determining the presence of the humoral response or the titer of antibodies directed against the p-ORF2 protein using these polypeptides, and also the use thereof in the context of infection with the hepatitis E virus.

Polypeptides of the p-ORF2 protein of the hepatitis E virus, including at least the amino acid sequence 394-660, numbered in relation to a p-ORF2 protein of 660 amino acids, in which the three cysteines at positions 627, 630 and 638 have been mutated or, for a p-ORF2 protein of different length, at least the amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 394-660 of the p-ORF2 protein of 660 amino acids, in which the three cysteines located at the three positions corresponding to positions 627, 630 and 638 of the p-ORF2 protein of 660 amino acids have been mutated. Also, methods for determining the presence of the humoral response or the titer of antibodies directed against the p-ORF2 protein using these polypeptides, and also the use thereof in the context of infection with the hepatitis E virus.

The present invention relates to a compound of the formula (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), or (VI) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein the symbols are as defined in the specification; a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same, a method for treating or preventing a viral infection using the same. ##STR00001## ##STR00002##