SEROLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF INFLUENZA BY MICRONEUTRALIZATION ASSAY

Overview

Serological methods rarely yield an early diagnosis of acute influenza virus infection. However, the demonstration of a significant increase in antibody titres (greater than or equal to 4‐fold) between acute‐phase and convalescent‐phase sera may establish the diagnosis of a recent influenza infection even when attempts to detect the virus are negative. Apart from their retrospective diagnostic value, serological methods such as virus neutralization and haemagglutination inhibition are the fundamental tools in epidemiological and immunological studies, as well as in the evaluation of vaccine immunogenicity.