Simple test for detection of virus neuraminidase and antineuraminidase using lectins (lectin-neuraminidase test system).

The fast and sensitive detection of virus neuraminidase effectiveness (influenza virus A and B or mumps virus) and of antibodies against virus neuraminidase in human serum is described. Lectin mainly obtained from Arachis hypogaea and Helix pomatia is used in the lectin-neuraminidase test (LN-test). The lectins are capable of agglutinating erythrocytes after virus incubation because virus neuraminidase reveals the T-antigen to be situated on erythrocytes. The presence of anti-neuraminidase in human sera can be detected with the aid of lectins after incubation of the virus suspension with human serum as a result of the agglutination having failed to take place. Neuraminidase activities of the influenza virus A and B are detectable up to a virus dilution of 1: 40,000 and anti-neuraminidase could be determined in human serum samples with titres of up to 1: 10,000. All materials required for the LN-test can be arranged in a set.