Baculovirus expression of chimeric hepatitis B virus core particles with hepatitis E virus epitopes and their use in a hepatitis E immunoassay

Two hepatitis B core proteins bearing the immunodominant region of the hepa titis E virus (HEV) capsid protein, one at the C terminus of hepatitis B vi rus core antigen (HBcAg) and the other within the HBcAg immunodominant loop , were constructed. Both chimeric proteins exhibited HEV reactivity, but on ly the first construct retained HBcAg reactivity. The second construct was used to develop an anti-HEV test which is equivalent to a commercial test f or the detection of anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) but is more sensitive f or the detection of anti-HEV IgM.