Hemagglutination assay for influenza virus

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Virology
• Diagnostic Microbiology

Background:

• The hemagglutination assay (HA) is a widely used technique in virology.
• It detects the presence of hemagglutinating agents, including influenza viruses, in various biological samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe validated methods for screening and identifying hemagglutinating viruses.
• To detail the application of the HA assay in diagnostic laboratories.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes chicken erythrocytes to detect hemagglutinating agents.
• Involves screening cell culture isolates and amnioallantoic fluid.
• May require virus isolation for amplification before HA detection.

Main Results:

• The HA assay can detect live and inactivated viruses.
• The assay is semi-quantitative, with 1 HAU approximating 5-6 logs of virus.
• Identified as an inexpensive and relatively simple diagnostic tool.

Conclusions:

• The HA assay is a valuable screening tool for hemagglutinating agents.
• Standardized methods are crucial for consistent interpretation due to influencing factors.
• The US National Veterinary Services Laboratories employ validated HA methods for diagnostic purposes.