Diagnostic Virology

Diagnostic Virology
Gregory A. Storch

Clin Infect Dis. (2000) 31 (3): 739-751.

Abstract
Diagnostic virology has now entered the mainstream of medical practice. Multiple methods are used for the laboratory diagnosis of viral infections, including viral culture, antigen detection, nucleic acid detection, and serology. The role of culture is diminishing as new immunologic and molecular tests are developed that provide more rapid results and are able to detect a larger number of viruses. This review provides specific recommendations for the diagnostic approach to clinically important viral infections.