Optimization and evaluation of an influenza A (H5) pseudotyped lentiviral particle-based serological assay

Background: Novel serological methods provide alternative options for sero-diagnosis, sero-epidemiology and for determining evidence of naturally acquired or vaccine induced immunity. Micro-neutralization tests are currently the gold standard for serological studies of highly pathogenic avian influenza in mammalian species but require handling live virus in a biosafety level (BSL) 3 environment. We previously reported the use of H5 pseudotyped lentiviral particles (H5pp) as an alternative to micro-neutralization