Laboratory diagnosis of viral infections

Diagnostic virology has changed rapidly due to the advent of molecular techniques and increased clinical sensitivity of serological assays.

[citation needed] Types of samples include the following: For example, a nasal mucus test may be done to diagnose rhinovirus.

For example, sequencing is useful when specific mutations in the patient are tested for in order to determine antiviral therapy and susceptibility to infection.

However, as the tests are getting cheaper, faster and more automated, sequencing will likely become the primary diagnostic tool in the future.

[citation needed] Immunofluorescence or immunoperoxidase assays are commonly used to detect whether a virus is present in a tissue sample.

[citation needed] These tests require specialized antibodies that are produced and purchased from commercial companies.

They are also conjugated to a special kind of tag that allows the antibody to be visualized in the lab, i.e.so that it will emit fluorescence or a color.

[citation needed] Electron microscopy is a method that can take a picture of a whole virus and can reveal its shape and structure.

It is not typically used as a routine diagnostic test as it requires a highly specialized type of sample preparation, microscope and technical expertise.

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.