Improved sensitivity of influenza A antigen detection using a combined NP, M, and NS1 sandwich ELISA

► The study aimed at improvement of the sensitivity of influenza A antigen detection by detecting the three most abundant influenza A viral proteins present in influenza A infected cells. ► Monoclonal antibody pairs for detecting the nucleoprotein (NP), matrix (M), and NS1 proteins were selected. Each MAb pair was used for the assay optimization for the sandwich ELISA. ► Combined NP, M, and NS1 antigen detection improved the assay sensitivity significantly as compared to the individual antigen detection.