The development of a multiplex serological assay for avian influenza based on Luminex technology.

Poultry can be infected with Avian Influenza viruses resulting in clinical disease and death. AI viruses are divided into different subtypes based on the antigenicity of their surface proteins haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidases (NA). In birds, 16 HA subtypes and 9 NA subtypes are detected in different combinations. This study reports the development of a multiplex serological assay for serotyping of AI antibodies in one single assay. The HA and NA proteins are coupled to colour-coded bead sets. Binding of antibodies to a specific HA or NA coupled bead set results in a fluorescent signal. The Luminex MAGPIX device identifies the bead sets and detects the fluorescent signals, thereby serotyping the antibodies in the serum.