There is provided a test strip assembly for detecting the possible presence of at least one analyte in a sample, a device for detecting the possible presence of at least one analyte in a sample comprising the test strip assembly and methods of detecting the possible presence of at least one analyte in a sample using the device.

The present invention relates to methods and uses for screening anti-hepadnaviral substances, wherein the substances are screened for the capacity to inhibit covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA of a hepadnavirus, like hepatitis B virus. The methods and uses take advantage of cells comprising a nucleic sequence encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen, like Hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg). Furthermore, the present invention provides nucleic acid sequences encoding a tagged hepadnavirus e antigen and proteins encoded thereby. Also kits for use in the screening methods are provided.

Disclosed herein are assays, systems, and kits for the detection and diagnosis of hepatitis virus infections in subjects.

Disclosed is a highly sensitive assay method and assay kit for HBsAg, which do not require treatment with a strong acid or alkali in the sample pretreatment, and which is less susceptible to influences by the autoantibodies. The assay method for hepatitis B virus s antigen in a sample separated from a living body includes: a pretreatment step of mixing a sample with a pretreatment reagent containing a reducing agent, to reduce hepatitis B virus s antigen; and an immunoassay step of subjecting the pretreated sample to an immunoassay of hepatitis B virus s antigen using at least one antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof capable of antigen-antibody reaction with a reduced peptide composed of the amino acids at positions 98 to 179 of hepatitis B virus s antigen.

Provided are: an antibody binding specifically to a surface antigen, pre-S1, of a hepatitis B virus (HBV); a polynucleotide coating the antibody; an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide; a transformation agent comprising the expression vector; and use of the antibody in treating or preventing HBV infection and in detecting an HBV.

An object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition useful as a novel anti-hepatitis B virus agent and a screening method. According to the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition that inhibits a production of a hepatitis B virus protein, in which the pharmaceutical composition inhibits an expression or a function of an RNA-binding protein that binds to at least one sequence selected from a hepatitis B virus RNA sequence corresponding to an enhancer I region sequence on a hepatitis B virus genome DNA or a hepatitis B virus RNA sequence corresponding to an enhancer II region sequence on the hepatitis B virus genome DNA.

Antibodies and compositions of matter useful for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis B Virus infection in mammals, and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and discloses peptides, polypeptides, and polynucleotides that can be used to stimulate a CTL response against HBV infection. The peptide and/or proteins of the invention may be used as a therapeutic drug to stimulate the immune system to recognize and eliminate HBV infection in infected cells or as a vaccine for the prevention of disease.

Described herein are blocking agents that can be used in diagnostic assays to prevent false positive results.

Provided are an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds to hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), a pharmaceutical composition containing the antibody or antigen-binding fragment, and use thereof. Further provided are a nucleic acid molecule encoding the antibody, a vector and a host cell containing the nucleic acid molecule, and a method for preparing the antibody.