Clinical and Diagnostic Virology

Due to the convergence of numerous independent advances, diagnostic virology is quickly advancing into the clinical medicine mainstream.

First and foremost, the development of antiviral medications has dramatically boosted the demand for accurate viral diagnosis.

Second, significant new methods for viral diagnostics have been made possible by technological advancements, particularly in the field of nucleic acid chemistry.

Third, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has significantly increased the number of people who are at risk for opportunistic viral infections.

Finally, the integration of molecular approaches into the treatment of chronic viral diseases is being revolutionised by the contemporary therapy of HIV infection and hepatitis C.

Methods used in diagnostic virology

• Viral cytopathology
• Electron microscopy
• Immunofluorescence
• Enzyme immunoassay
• Nucleic acid hybridization
• Polymerase chain reaction

Clinical virology is the study of viral diseases and the use of traditional, molecular, or immunological methods for laboratory diagnosis, treatment (antiviral medications), and control (vaccines and biocontainment).
Molecular methods, detection and molecular typing, and the application of molecular biology techniques to clinical virology have all significantly improved enteroviral diagnosis. Sensitivity and specificity have improved significantly.