QUANTITATIVE COLORIMETRIC MICRONEUTRALIZATION ASSAY FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF ADENOVIRUSES

A microneutralization assay that automates the reading and interpretat ion of viral infectivity and neutralization data was developed for the characterization of adenoviruses (AV). Virus, serum, and cells were a dded to 96-well plates, incubated for 7 days, and stained with vital s tain. The A(550) of solubilized dye was read in a plate reader interfa ced to a personal computer which analyzed the results. Correlation of A(550) values with visual observation of cytopathic effect was extreme ly good (r = \ 0.977625 \ ). Clinical isolates of 17 AV from 11 patien ts were characterized by colorimetric neutralization assay. Prototype AV titers tested were comparable to those determined by tube methods. Prototype homotypic antiserum titers were comparable to or greater tha n those determined by standard tube neutralization.