[Standarization of the plaque-reduction neutralization technique in Vero cells for dengue virus testing].

Introduction: the standard plaque reduction neutralization technique has been performed in BHK-21 cells for more than 20 years in Cuba to determine the neutralizing antibodies to dengue. At the end of 2007, the WHO implemented a program to harmonize this technique at all the laboratories worldwide.

Objectives: the present study was aimed at standardizing the plaque-reduction neutralization technique in Vero cells from the Cultural Lab of"Pedro Kouri" Tropical Medicine Institute.

Methods: viral strains suggested by Who, strains from the Strain Bank of Arbovirus Laboratory, as well as the panel of human sera from dengue-suspected patients after 5 days of the symptoms.

Results: it was proved that suspension- cultured Vero cells allow higher plaque capacity and quality. Similar results were reached using Arbovirus Bank strains and WHO reference strains.

Conclusions: it was possible to standardize the plaque-reduction neutralization in Vero cells, with results similar to those of BHK-21 but in longer length of time. Standardization of this technique will allow comparing the outcome of neutralization in the epidemiological studies and vaccine research with those of other laboratories worldwide.