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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Viral Concentration Determination Through Plaque Assays: Using Traditional and Novel Overlay Systems
Published on: November 4, 2014
Quantification of Yellow Fever Virus by Plaque Assay and Focus Formation Assay
Stephanie Almeida da Silva1, Noemi Rovaris Gardinali2, Mariana Pierre de Barros Gomes2
1Laboratory of Virological Technology (LATEV), Institute of Technology in Immunobiologicals (Bio-Manguinhos), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. stephanie.silva@bio.fiocruz.br.
Abstract:
The yellow fever virus' ability to invade the host cell and replicate itself is an important property that allows us to quantify the load of infectious particles. The most-common method for quantifying the infectivity of cytopathic viruses is the plaque assay. The plaque assay quantifies the number of plaque-forming units (PFU) in a virus sample. Cell-based viral quantification assays are useful for viral diagnosis and in the different stages of vaccines development. This chapter will describe in detail a protocol to determine the potency of yellow fever virus in laboratory.
Insights
Quantifying yellow fever virus infectivity is crucial for understanding viral load and developing vaccines. This protocol details the plaque assay method for determining yellow fever virus potency in laboratory settings.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Cell Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Yellow fever virus infectivity quantification is essential for assessing viral load.
- The plaque assay is a standard method for measuring infectious virus particles.
- Cell-based viral quantification is vital for diagnostics and vaccine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a detailed laboratory protocol for determining yellow fever virus potency.
- To standardize the quantification of infectious yellow fever virus particles.
Main Methods:
- Detailed description of the plaque assay protocol.
- Quantification of plaque-forming units (PFU) in yellow fever virus samples.
- Cell-based assay for viral infectivity.
Main Results:
- The protocol enables accurate measurement of yellow fever virus potency.
- Established a reliable method for quantifying infectious viral particles.
Conclusions:
- The described plaque assay protocol is effective for determining yellow fever virus potency.
- This method supports accurate viral diagnosis and vaccine development stages.

