Investigators publish new data in the report 'High throughput quantitative colorimetric microneutralization assay for the confirmation and differentiation of West Nile Virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus.' 'An automated colorimetric micro-neutralization assay (CmNt) was developed for confirmation and differentiation of West Nile Virus (WNV)-positive human sera as a higher throughput alternative to the standard six-well plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT). CmNt was performed in high-capacity 96-well micro-titer plates and required 4-6 days to complete,' researchers in the United States report (see also West Nile Virus).
'Inhibition of infection was determined by reduced neutral red-dye retention and conveniently recorded by a colorimetric plate reader. Human sera previously confirmed by PRNT as either negative (N=52), WNV positive (N=81), or St. Louis encephalitis virus positive (N=12) were tested by CmNt; interpreted results were virtually identical to PRNT with a reduced turnaround time and higher throughput,' wrote M. Taketa-Graham and colleagues.
The researchers concluded: 'Additionally, a handful of dengue virus positive and negative specimens (four each) were tested by CmNt; interpreted results were identical to PRNT.'
Taketa-Graham and colleagues published their study in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (High throughput quantitative colorimetric microneutralization assay for the confirmation and differentiation of West Nile Virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2010;82(3):501-4).
For additional information, contact M. Taketa-Graham, Center for Infectious Disease, California Dept. of Public Health, Richmond, CA USA.
Keywords: City:Richmond, State:CA, Country:United States, Arbovirus Encephalitis, Central Nervous System Diseases, Central Nervous System Infections, Central Nervous System Viral Diseases, Flaviviridae, Flavivirus, Hygiene, Japanese Encephalitis Viruses, RNA Viruses, St. Louis Encephalitis Virus, Vertebrate Viruses, Virology, Virus Diseases, West Nile Virus.
This article was prepared by Malaria Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Malaria Weekly via NewsRx.com.
