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Detection of Antibodies against H5 and H7 strains in Birds: Evaluation of Influenza Pseudovirus Particle Neutralization Tests

Wallerström, Sofie, Lagerqvist, Nina, Temperton, Nigel J., Cassmer, Michaela, Moreno, Ana, Karlsson, Malin, Leijon, Mikael, Lundkvist, Åke, Falk, Kerstin (2014) Detection of Antibodies against H5 and H7 strains in Birds: Evaluation of Influenza Pseudovirus Particle Neutralization Tests. Infection Ecology & Epidemiology, 4 . ISSN 2000-8686. (doi:10.3402/iee.v4.23011) (KAR id:37756)

Abstract

Introduction: Avian influenza viruses circulate in bird populations, and it is important to maintain and uphold our knowledge of the viral strains that are currently of interest in this context. Here, we describe the use of hemagglutinin-pseudotype retroviruses based on highly pathogenic influenza viruses for the screening of avian sera for influenza A antibodies. Our aim was also to determine whether the pseudovirus neutralization tests that we assessed were sensitive and simple to use compared to the traditional methods, including hemagglutination inhibition assays and microneutralization tests.

Material and methods: H5 and H7 pseudovirus neutralization tests were evaluated by using serum from infected rabbits. Subsequently, the assays were further investigated using a panel of serum samples from avian species. The panel contained samples that were seropositive for five different hemagglutinin subtypes as well as influenza A seronegative samples.

Results and discussion: The results suggest that the pseudovirus neutralization test is an alternative to hemagglutination inhibition assays, as we observed comparable titers to those of both standard microneutralizations assays as well as hemagglutinin inhibition assays. When evaluated by a panel of avian sera, the method also showed its capability to recognize antibodies directed toward low-pathogenic H5 and H7. Hence, we conclude that it is possible to use pseudoviruses based on highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses to screen avian sera for antibodies directed against influenza A subtypes H5 and H7.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3402/iee.v4.23011
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Medway School of Pharmacy
Depositing User: Nigel Temperton
Date Deposited: 08 Jan 2014 12:53 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 12:50 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/37756 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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