Comparison of visual microscopic and computer-automated fluorescence detection of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies

The rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT) and the fluorescent ant ibody virus neutralization test (FAVNT) are both diagnostic tests for deter mining levels of rabies neutralizing antibodies. An automated method for de termining fluorescence has been implemented to reduce the work time require d for fluorescent visual microscopic observations. The automated method off ers several advantages over conventional visual observation, such as the ab ility to rapidly test many samples. The antibody titers obtained with autom ated techniques were similar to those obtained with both the RFFIT (n = 165 , r = 0.93, P < 0.001) and the FAVNT (n = 52, r = 0.99, P < 0.001).