Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) for the detection of
anti-yellow fever antibodies from clinical samples
Abstract
Yellow fever (YF) is a mosquito-borne viral disease that is endemic to
sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America. Although there is a safe
and effective vaccine that has been available for over 75 years, YF
remains a public health problem in endemic areas and areas with sporadic
YF transmission. Immune responses elicited by natural infection with
yellow fever virus and vaccination are marked by production of
neutralizing antibodies. Serological cross-reactivity exhibited by
flaviviruses poses challenges to the diagnostic tests for detection of
YF-specific antibodies. The most specific plaque reduction
neutralization test (PRNT) is considered the “gold standard” test for
detecting and measuring the neutralizing antibodies. This study was
undertaken to develop and validate PRNT test for measurement of YF
specific neutralizing antibodies. We validated PRNT test using different
parameters including specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy and
robustness. The YF PRNT assay was shown to be specific, robustness,
precise and accurate. Thus, we have proven suitability of this assay for
evaluation of neutralizing antibodies in response to YF vaccination as
well as for diagnostic purpose in case of natural infections.