Patent ID: 7803566

Claim:
A method of identifying T cells in a sample that become activated in the presence of a vaccinia or variola virus that comprises a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence that is identical or substantially homologous to peptide 74A (SEQ ID NO: 1) or peptide 165 (SEQ ID NO: 2), comprising contacting the T cells with a peptide selected from the group consisting of peptide 74A (SEQ ID NO: 1); peptide 165 (SEQ ID NO: 2); an immunogenic fragment of peptide 74A or peptide 165, wherein the immunogenic fragment maintains the function of peptide 74A or peptide 165 as a CD8 T cell epitope of the vaccinia or variola virus; an immunogenic mutant of peptide 74A or peptide 165, wherein the immunogenic mutant maintains the function of peptide 74A or peptide 165 as a CD8 T cell epitope of the vaccinia or variola virus, is the same length as peptide 74A or peptide 165, and 1 to 4 amino acids of peptide 74A or peptide 165 are substituted in the immunogenic mutant; and a combination thereof; wherein activation of the T cells by the peptide indicates that the T cells become activated in the presence of the vaccinia or variola virus.