Array-in-well serodiagnostic assay utilizing upconverting phosphor label technology

•The developed array-in-well assay allows simultaneous detection of IgG antibodies to adenovirus and parvovirus B19.•Upconverting phosphor label technology provides a sensitive method for array imaging.•We report a new serodiagnostic concept that is a promising new tool for multiplex serology.

In this study, a multiplex serological array-in-well assay was constructed for simultaneous detection of serum IgG antibodies against parvovirus B19 and human adenovirus. The array was prepared in streptavidin-coated 96-well microtiter plates by spotting biotinylated parvovirus B19 virus-like-particles, adenovirus type 2 and 5 hexon antigens, negative control of human serum albumin and positive controls of human IgG and anti-human IgG antibodies on the bottom of each well in an array format with a printable area of 2 mm × 2 mm. The array-in-well assay was evaluated with serum samples (n = 89) of different antibody status as determined by commercial enzyme immunoassay for parvovirus IgG, and by in-house enzyme immunoassay for adenovirus IgG. The bound serum anti-parvovirus IgG, anti-adenovirus IgG, and total IgG antibodies were detected with anti-human IgG antibody coated photon upconverting nanoparticles and the assay was measured with an anti-Stokes photoluminescence imager. Detection of specific antibodies by the multiplex array-in-well assay was in good agreement (100% for parvovirus B19 and 96% for adenovirus) with the reference results. In conclusion, the array-in-well with upconverting phosphor reporter technology was able to detect antiviral antibodies in human sera, and represents an efficient serodiagnostic concept that is a promising new tool for multiplex serology.