Multiplexed Immunoassay for Rapid Serological Diagnosis of a Specific Viral Infection in Clinical Samples
CDC researchers have developed a multiplexed diagnostic assay for sensitive detection and distinction between viral group members based on the presence/absence of infection-generated antibodies within a clinical serum sample. For example, this assay can be used for rapid discrimination of a clinical unknown as specifically a West Nile or St. Louis encephalitis viral infection. This is particularly beneficial as these two viruses are typically difficult to distinguish by standard serological assays.
This new technique uses microsphere/microbead-based flow-analysis as a platform.