A quantitative comet infection assay for influenza virus

► A cell-based antiviral assay for influenza virus was developed. ► This method has 13-fold increased sensitivity to antiviral drug. ► The sensitivity gain depends on the fluid flow in the wells of a titer plate. ► MDCK cells with augmented virus receptor make a more robust assay. ► Incubator humidity affects the shape of virus spread, but not virus titers.