Fig. 1.

Recognition of HCV peptides with low-similarity to the human proteome by pAbs from blood donors. Sera from 10 blood donors were pooled and pAbs were immunoassayed by ELISA (see under “Materials and methods”). HCV peptides were assayed with pAbs a untreated, b pre-treated with peptide n. 1, c pre-treated with peptide n. 4, d pre-treated with peptide n. 5, e pre-treated with peptide n. 9. Peptide numbering is described under Table 1. Results are expressed as optical density (O.D.) and correspond to effective absorbance. The absorbance was measured at wavelengths of 450 and 620 nm. The effective absorbance was calculated subtracting A ₆₂₀ from A ₄₅₀. Data are average values of two independent assays