A set of synthetic peptides derived from the capsid proteins of hepatitis A virus was used to search for B-epitopes. Peptides from the 115–139 region of the VP1 protein, from the 69–99 region of the VP2 protein and peptide 137–150 from the VP3 protein were found to react with monoclonal and polyclonal anti-HAV antibodies. MAPs based on 64–80 and 66–80 fragments of VP3 were reactive as well. Peptides, their conjugates with protein carriers and MAPs were used for antipeptide antibody production. Only free peptide 69–99 from the VP2 protein caused formation of HAV binding antibodies.
