Titration of Human Coronaviruses Using an Immunoperoxidase Assay
Summary
In this video, we demonstrate an alternative method for detection and titering of viruses using an enzymatic antigen detection technique known as an immunoperoxidase assay. Here, we will show you how to collect your viral samples, prepare the cells for testing, and finally the immunoperoxidase assay using serial dilutions to determine the viral titer.
Abstract
Determination of infectious viral titers is a basic and essential experimental approach for virologists. Classical plaque assays cannot be used for viruses that do not cause significant cytopathic effects, which is the case for prototype strains 229E and OC43 of human coronavirus (HCoV). Therefore, an alternative indirect immunoperoxidase assay (IPA) was developed for the detection and titration of these viruses and is described herein. Susceptible cells are inoculated with serial logarithmic dilutions of virus-containing samples in a 96-well plate format. After viral growth, viral detection by IPA yields the infectious virus titer, expressed as ‘Tissue Culture Infectious Dose 50 percent’ (TCID50). This represents the dilution of a virus-containing sample at which half of a series of laboratory wells contain infectious replicating virus. This technique provides a reliable method for the titration of HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 in biological samples such as cells, tissues and fluids. This article is based on work first reported in Methods in Molecular Biology (2008) volume 454, pages 93-102.
Protocol
The complete text protocol for this experimental approach is available in Springer Protocols.
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose.
Cite This Article
Lambert, F., Jacomy, H., Marceau, G., J. Talbot, P. Titration of Human Coronaviruses Using an Immunoperoxidase Assay. J. Vis. Exp. (14), e751, doi:10.3791/751 (2008).