Efficient capture of infectious H5 avian influenza virus utilizing magnetic beads coated with anionic polymer

The possible emergence of a pandemic influenza virus from the avian influenza virus (AIV) has become a serious threat. The isolation of viruses will be crucial for further virological analysis and the development of vaccines. However, currently, there is no simple method for facilitating the isolation of infectious AIV. Here, we have developed a simple method of capturing AIV using anionic magnetic beads. The method employed the capture of AIV (H5N1, H5N2, and H5N3) from liquid samples such as allantoic fluid (AF) and cell culture medium (CM) using magnetic beads coated with an anionic polymer, poly(methyl vinyl ether-maleic anhydride). After their incubation with AIV-containing samples, the magnetic beads were separated from the supernatant by applying a magnetic field. The absorption of AIV on the beads was confirmed by immunochromatography and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which indicated the presence of hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and nucleoprotein of AIV. Furthermore, the infectivity in chicken eggs of AIV captured by magnetic beads was similar to that of the starting materials. The capture of AIV using magnetic beads coated with anionic polymers will contribute to the sufficient recovery of infectious AIV and approach for potential pandemic influenza viruses.