Rapid Viral Assay

A method for rapid, highly specific and sensitive, detection and quantification of a virus in an individual suspected of being infected with a virus by observing binding with a host receptor protein of a viral substrate of the virus contained in a specimen taken from the individual, comprising the steps of:

• coating a plurality of microtiter wells with a host receptor protein contained in a coating buffer;
• incubating the plurality of microtiter wells overnight;
• washing the microtiter wells;
• adding a blocking solution to the plurality of microtiter wells;
• washing the plurality of microtiter wells three times;
• adding the viral substrate to the plurality of microtiter wells;
• incubating the plurality of microtiter wells for 20 minutes;
• washing the plurality of microtiter wells three times;
• adding an antibody directed against the viral substrate to the plurality of microtiter wells;
• incubating the plurality of microtiter wells for 20 minutes;
• adding a horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated antibody directed against the antibody to the plurality of microtiter wells;
• incubating the plurality of microtiter wells for 20 minutes;
• washing the plurality of microtiter wells three times;
• adding a TMB solution to the plurality of microtiter wells;
• adding a Stop solution to the plurality of microtiter wells;
• and
• detecting the viral substrate in the microtiter wells by observing those microtiter wells that undergo a color change or quantifying the concentration of the viral substrate by reading optical density at 450 nm, wherein the method following the overnight incubation is completed by a user in about one hour.