A novel highly sensitive, rapid and safe Rift Valley fever virus neutralization test

J Virol Methods. 2017 Oct:248:26-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2017.06.001. Epub 2017 Jun 3.

Abstract

Antibodies specific for Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) can be detected by diverse methods, including ezyme-linked immunosortbent assay (ELISA) and virus neutralization test (VNT). The VNT is superior in sensitivity and specificity and is therefore considered the gold standard serological assay. Classical VNTs make use of virulent RVFV and therefore have to be performed in biosafety level 3 laboratories. Here, we report the development of a novel VNT that is based on an avirulent RVFV expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), which can be performed safely outside level 3 biocontainment facilities. Evaluation with a broad panel of experimental sera and field sera demonstrated that this novel VNT is faster and more sensitive than the classical VNT.

Keywords: 4-Segmented; GFP; Rift Valley fever virus; Ruminants; Virus neutralization test.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Goats / immunology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Neutralization Tests / methods*
  • Rift Valley Fever / diagnosis*
  • Rift Valley Fever / virology
  • Rift Valley fever virus / genetics
  • Rift Valley fever virus / immunology*
  • Rift Valley fever virus / pathogenicity
  • Ruminants / immunology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins