Laboratory diagnosis of viral infections

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview[edit | edit source]

In the diagnostic laboratory virus infections are confirmed by several methods that include:

Growth of the virus in a cell culture from a specimen taken from the patient.
Detection of virus-specific antibodies in the blood.
Detection of virus antigens
Detection of virus nucleic acids
Observation of virus particles by electron microscopy.
Hemagglutination assay

Cell culture[edit | edit source]

When growing virus in a cell culture, the cells affected with virus will evolve morphologic changes, often specific for the type of virus involved.

Antibody detection[edit | edit source]

When the adaptive immune system of a vertebrate encounters a virus, it produces specific antibodies which bind to the virus and render it non-infectious. This is called humoral immunity. Two types of antibodies are important. The first called IgM is highly effective at neutralizing viruses but is only produced by the cells of the immune system for a few weeks. The second, called, IgG is produced indefinitely. The presence of IgM in the blood of the host is used to test for acute infection, whereas IgG indicates an infection sometime in the past.^[1] Both types of antibodies are measured when tests for immunity are carried out.^[2]

Antigen detection[edit | edit source]

Detection of virus antigens can be done by ELISA in tissues and fluids.

Other techniques are:

Hemagglutination assay[edit | edit source]

Many viruses attach to molecules present on the surface of red blood cells. A consequence of this is that - at certain concentrations - a viral suspension may bind together (agglutinate) the red blood cells thus preventing them from settling out of suspension. Usefully, agglutination is rarely linked to infectivity, attenuated viruses can therefore be used in assays.

Nucleic acid detection[edit | edit source]

Detection of virus encoded DNA and RNA is done with polymerase chain reaction. Nucleic acid hybridization with virus-specific probes detects specific viruses.

References[edit | edit source]

↑ Greer S, Alexander GJ. Viral serology and detection. Baillieres Clin Gastroenterol. 1995 Dec;9(4):689-721
↑ Laurence JC. Hepatitis A and B immunizations of individuals infected with humanimmunodeficiency virus.Am J Med. 2005 Oct;118 Suppl 10A:75S-83S.

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[1] Greer S, Alexander GJ. Viral serology and detection. Baillieres Clin Gastroenterol. 1995 Dec;9(4):689-721

[2] Laurence JC. Hepatitis A and B immunizations of individuals infected with humanimmunodeficiency virus.Am J Med. 2005 Oct;118 Suppl 10A:75S-83S.

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