Biomaterial Database

Detection of influenza C virus by using an in situ esterase assay. 1989

P C Wagaman, and H A Spence, and R J O'Callaghan

Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112.

A variety of chemically defined compounds were tested to characterize the substrate specificity of the influenza C virus esterase and to determine whether a substrate could be found that would be useful in an assay to detect the virus. Two new substrates, alpha-naphthyl acetate and alpha-naphthyl propionate, were identified; alpha-naphthyl acetate was employed to develop an assay specific for influenza type C virus in MDCK cells. The assay was sufficiently sensitive to detect esterase activity in a single cell and distinguished influenza C virus infections from those of types A and B viruses. Infected cells could be detected as early as 8 h postinfection, with maximal enzyme detection occurring at 24 h. Assay of influenza C virus in the chorioallantoic or amniotic fluid of infected eggs was performed by applying fluids directly onto nitrocellulose strips and then incubating with alpha-naphthyl acetate. Both the cellular and nitrocellulose-bound assays are rapid, inexpensive, and easy to perform, offering advantages for use in clinical laboratories.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009281	Naphthalenes	Two-ring crystalline hydrocarbons isolated from coal tar. They are used as intermediates in chemical synthesis, as insect repellents, fungicides, lubricants, preservatives, and, formerly, as topical antiseptics.
D009284	Naphthols	Naphthalene derivatives carrying one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups at any ring position. They are often used in dyes and pigments, as antioxidants for rubber, fats, and oils, as insecticides, in pharmaceuticals, and in numerous other applications.	Hydroxynaphthalene,Hydroxynaphthalenes,Naphthol
D009596	Nitrophenols	PHENOLS carrying nitro group substituents.	Nitrophenol
D009975	Orthomyxoviridae	A family of RNA viruses causing INFLUENZA and other respiratory diseases. Orthomyxoviridae includes INFLUENZAVIRUS A; INFLUENZAVIRUS B; INFLUENZAVIRUS C; INFLUENZAVIRUS D; ISAVIRUS; and THOGOTOVIRUS.	Influenza Viruses,Myxoviruses,Orthomyxoviruses,Influenza Virus,Myxovirus,Orthomyxovirus
D009982	Gammainfluenzavirus	A genus of the family ORTHOMYXOVIRIDAE comprising viruses similar to types A and B but less common, more stable, more homogeneous, and lacking the neuraminidase protein. They have not been associated with epidemics but may cause mild influenza. Influenza C virus is the type species.	FLUCV,Gammainfluenzavirus influenzae,Influenza C Virus,Influenza Viruses Type C,Influenza virus type C,Influenzavirus C,Orthomyxoviruses Type C,Gammainfluenzaviruses,Influenza C Viruses,Virus, Influenza C
D011422	Propionates	Derivatives of propionic acid. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain the carboxyethane structure.	Propanoate,Propanoic Acid,Propionate,Propanoates,Propanoic Acid Derivatives,Propanoic Acids,Propionic Acid Derivatives,Propionic Acids,Acid, Propanoic,Acids, Propanoic,Acids, Propionic,Derivatives, Propanoic Acid,Derivatives, Propionic Acid
D002642	Chick Embryo	The developmental entity of a fertilized chicken egg (ZYGOTE). The developmental process begins about 24 h before the egg is laid at the BLASTODISC, a small whitish spot on the surface of the EGG YOLK. After 21 days of incubation, the embryo is fully developed before hatching.	Embryo, Chick,Chick Embryos,Embryos, Chick
D004950	Esterases	Any member of the class of enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of an ester bond and result in the addition of water to the resulting molecules.	Esterase
D006863	Hydrogen-Ion Concentration	The normality of a solution with respect to HYDROGEN ions; H+. It is related to acidity measurements in most cases by pH	pH,Concentration, Hydrogen-Ion,Concentrations, Hydrogen-Ion,Hydrogen Ion Concentration,Hydrogen-Ion Concentrations
D006868	Hydrolysis	The process of cleaving a chemical compound by the addition of a molecule of water.