METHODS FOR DETECTION OF ANTI-CYTOMEGALOVIRUS NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES

摘要

The present disclosure provides methods useful for determining levels of HCMV infection in host cells and, by extension, determining levels of neutralizing antibodies present in a sample. The present disclosure encompasses the recognition that HCMV viruses that have a fluorescent moiety permit detection of viral infection (e.g., by assessing fluorescence in cells after contacting the host cell with the virus). In some embodiments, levels of HCMV infection are determined by fluorescence detection where the virus has been preincubated with a test sample (e.g., a serum sample) from a subject. In some embodiments, the subject has been administered a candidate HCMV vaccine.

主权项

1. A method comprising steps of:
(i) mixing serum from a subject that has been immunized with an HCMV candidate vaccine with an HCMV comprising a fluorescent moiety to form a mixture; (ii) contacting a host cell that is susceptible to infection by HCMV under conditions that allow infection with the mixture of (i); (iii) assessing a fluorescence level of the host cell that has been contacted with the mixture by flow cytometry; and (iv) determining a level of infection of the host cell based on the assessed fluorescence level.