Colorimetric focus-forming assay with automated focus counting by image analysis for quantification of infectious hepatitis C virions.

ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of liver transplantation in Western countries. Studies of HCV infection using cell culture-produced HCV (HCVcc) in vitro systems require quantification of infectious HCV virions, which has conventionally been performed by immunofluorescence-based focus-forming assay with manual foci counting; however, this is a laborious and time-consuming procedure with potentially biased results. In the present study, we established and optimized a method for convenient and objective quantification of HCV virions by colorimetric focus-forming assay with automated focus counting by image analysis. In testing different enzymes and chromogenic substrates, we obtained superior foci development using alkaline phosphatase-conjugated secondary antibody with

SUBMITTER: Kang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3427175 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature