A Treponema pallidum triplet antigen construct is disclosed which includes three Treponema pallidum antigens (TP15, TP17, and TP47), as well as a ten amino acid leader sequence (tag 261) and human copper zinc superoxide dismutase (hSOD). This construct is optimized for in vitro diagnosis of syphilis infection. Plasmids containing DNA encoding the triplet antigen, host cells, production methods, detection methods, and kits are also disclosed.

Systems are described, based on a primary binding compound and a secondary binding compound used in combination with a support to detect a target in a sample. The systems includes at least one support structure, at least one small primary support portion containing at least one molecule covalently bound to a visual colloidal marker, a plurality of secondary support portions comprising secondary binding compounds that are covalently bound to the support portions and chemically active, at least one pH litmus indicator, at least one pH strip, a buffer for lateral flow on the porous membrane support that allows preservation and activity of binding compounds.

Detector systems are described, based on a primary binding compound and a secondary binding compound used in combination with a support to detect a target in a sample. The detection systems include a liquid medium hosting a first binding compound specific to a target, the first binding compound comprising a label; and a solid medium hosting a second binding compound specific to the target, the second binding compound being different from and non-competitive with respect to the first binding compound.

The invention relates to a method for detecting antibodies against the TpN17 antigen of Treponema pallidum in an isolated sample wherein a peptide sequence of Vibrio cholerae lipoprotein 15 (VcLp15) or a partial sequence thereof is used as a reagent for reduction of interference, i.e. for minimizing false positive results. In addition the invention relates to fusion polypeptides comprising a VcLp15 peptide sequence and a chaperone, to their use as an additive in an immunoassay for said reduction of interferences and for minimizing false positive results and to a reagent kit for detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum antigens in an isolated sample comprising a TpN17 antigen and said VcLp15-chaperone fusion polypeptide.

The invention relates to a method for detecting antibodies against the TpN17 antigen of Treponema pallidum in an isolated sample wherein a peptide sequence of Vibrio cholerae lipoprotein 15 (VcLp15) or a partial sequence thereof is used as a reagent for reduction of interference, i.e. for minimizing false positive results. In addition the invention relates to fusion polypeptides comprising a VcLp15 peptide sequence and a chaperone, to their use as an additive in an immunoassay for said reduction of interferences and for minimizing false positive results and to a reagent kit for detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum antigens in an isolated sample comprising a TpN17 antigen and said VcLp15-chaperone fusion polypeptide.

The machine is configured to perform an automated rapid plasma reagent (RPR) agglutination test or other agglutination test. The machine includes a sample rack with multiple sample locations thereon and a reagent rack for storing of reagent. A shaker assembly supports at least one microtiter plate or other well supporting structure thereon with a plurality of wells in the plate. An automated pipette accesses samples and reagent and deposits them within wells of the microtiter plate. The shaker assembly shakes multiple samples within the wells of the microtiter plate. Finally, a camera photographs the wells of the plate, preferably from above with a light source below and the plate at least partially transparent. The image is then analyzed in an automated fashion to determine whether a ring of contrast material has remained smooth indicative of a non-reactive sample or has agglutinated/clumped together indicative of a reactive sample.

The machine is configured to perform an automated rapid plasma reagent (RPR) agglutination test or other agglutination test. The machine includes a sample rack with multiple sample locations thereon and a reagent rack for storing of reagent. A shaker assembly supports at least one microtiter plate or other well supporting structure thereon with a plurality of wells in the plate. An automated pipette accesses samples and reagent and deposits them within wells of the microtiter plate. The shaker assembly shakes multiple samples within the wells of the microtiter plate. Finally, a camera photographs the wells of the plate, preferably from above with a light source below and the plate at least partially transparent. The image is then analyzed in an automated fashion to determine whether a ring of contrast material has remained smooth indicative of a non-reactive sample or has agglutinated/clumped together indicative of a reactive sample.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods, monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, assays, and kits for detecting HPV infection and HPV related cancer diagnosis, including infection by various HPV genotypes, early and/or late stage HPV-associated or HPV-specific cancers. The anti-HPV antibodies are used in performing immunological assays on clinical samples. Various immunological assays and kits for detecting HPV infection, cervical cancer, other HPV related cancers, early stage precancerous lesions as well as late stage cancer progression are also provided.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods, monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, assays, and kits for detecting HPV infection and HPV related cancer diagnosis, including infection by various HPV genotypes, early and/or late stage HPV-associated or HPV-specific cancers. The anti-HPV antibodies are used in performing immunological assays on clinical samples. Various immunological assays and kits for detecting HPV infection, cervical cancer, other HPV related cancers, early stage precancerous lesions as well as late stage cancer progression are also provided.

The invention generally relates to methods for indicating whether an assay for isolating targets is properly isolating and detecting targets. Methods of the invention involve obtaining a sample suspected of a containing target, introducing a detectable marker into the sample, conducting an assay using magnet particles to isolate the detectable marker and the target if it is present in the sample, determining the presence or absence of the target; and confirming that the assay functioned properly by determining presence or absence of the detectable marker.