High-Throughput Neutralizing Antibody (nAb) Assay Using a Pseudovirus Platform for Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Studies

In early 2024, a high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 began spreading from wild birds to domestic fowl and eventually livestock and wildlife in the United States. Human infections have been limited to individuals exposed to infected animals. Concurrently seasonal viruses (H1N1, H3N2, B) are circulating at high levels causing significant morbidity.

A high-throughput neutralizing antibody (nAb) assay platform has been developed that is capable of conducting 6000 assays per week and can be utilized for in-depth and widespread surveillance of natural infections, as well as the evaluation of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccine responses. This assay employs a well-established pseudovirus assay platform that limits virus replication to a single cycle. As a result, it enables the evaluation of nAb responses to highly contagious and/or pathogenic influenza strains, such as the H1N1, H3N2, B strains and H5N1, H7N9.