Optimization and evaluation of an influenza A (H5) pseudotyped lentiviral particle-based serological assay.
BACKGROUND
Novel serological methods provide alternative options for sero-diagnosis, sero-epidemiology and for determining evidence of naturally acquired or vaccine induced immunity. Micro-neutralization tests are currently the gold standard for serological studies of highly pathogenic avian influenza in mammalian species but require handling live virus in a biosafety level (BSL) 3 environment. We previously reported the use of H5 pseudotyped lentiviral particles (H5pp) as an alternative to micro-neutralization tests in a BSL-2 setting (Nefkens et al., 2007).


OBJECTIVE
To optimize and evaluate this newly developed H5pp assay on relevant clinical specimens.


METHODS
We optimise and evaluate the performance of the H5pp assay using well-characterized sera from humans with confirmed H5N1 disease or controls.


RESULTS
The H5pp assay is a reliable serological method for the detection and quantification of neutralizing antibody to H5-viruses.


CONCLUSIONS
H5pp provide a reliable and safe alternative for sero-diagnosis and sero-epidemiology of H5N1 infections in a BSL-2 setting.
Garcia
Jean-Michel
JM
HKU-Pasteur Research Centre, Hong Kong, SAR China. jmgarcia@hku.hk
Lagarde
Nadège
N
Ma
Edward S K
ES
de Jong
Menno D
MD
Peiris
J S Malik
JS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000379:methods*; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014744:Vietnam; D014771:Virion / Q000235:genetics*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral