© 2000 Journal of Clinical Pathology
Leader
Molecular techniques for clinical diagnostic virology
1 Micropathology Ltd, University of Warwick Science Park, Barclays Venture Centre, Sir William Lyons Road, Coventry CV4 7EZ, UK
Correspondence to:
Dr Read email: micropathology@telinco.co.uk
Accepted November 10, 1999
Introduction
A decade after the first studies were performed it is justifiable to claim that molecular techniques have revolutionised the work of the clinical virology laboratory. Hitherto, the role of the virology laboratory was often a retrospective diagnosis based on virus isolation and serology. Nevertheless, the epidemiological data collected in this way justified the continued activity of clinical virology. The recent molecular revolution in laboratory methods has been timely because it has been in parallel with the emergence of new pathogens that have presented the clinical virologist with fresh diagnostic challenges. A concurrent development of specific antiviral compounds has increased the potential of rapid laboratory investigation to contribute to the management of acutely ill or immunosuppressed patients.
Molecular assays for the detection of microorganisms can be designed even when only partial nucleic acid sequence information is available. This is valuable when identifying and diagnosing new diseases and emerging pathogens because there
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