Tests that should be available in, or accessible to, a specialist virology centre
| Organism | Tests |
|---|---|
| BAL, broncho-alveolar lavage; BKV, polyoma BK virus; CMV, cytomegalovirus; EBV, Epstein-Barr virus; EM, electron microscopy; HAV/HBV/HCV/HDV/HEV, hepatitis A/B/C/D/E virus; HHV, human herpesvirus; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; HPV, human papillomavirus; HSV, herpes simplex virus; HTLV, human T cell leukaemia virus; JCV, polyoma JC virus; RSV, respiratory syncytial virus; SARS-CoV, severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus; VZV, varicella zoster virus. | |
| Hepatitis viruses | |
| HAV | IgG and IgM |
| HBV | Full serological markers, HBV DNA and antiviral sensitivity |
| HCV | HCV antibodies, HCV RNA, HCV genotyping |
| HDV | HDV antibodies, HDV antigen |
| HEV | HEV antibodies |
| Retroviruses | |
| HIV-1 and 2 | Antibodies, p24 antigen |
| HIV 1 and 2 RNA, viral load including an ultrasensitive assay | |
| HIV 1 and 2 proviral DNA, HIV antiviral resistance markers | |
| HTLV-1 and 2 | Antibodies to HTLV-1 and 2, proviral DNA |
| Herpesviruses | |
| CMV | Culture, rapid culture, early antigen detection, direct antigen detection, CMV DNA or mRNA, IgG and IgM antibodies, antiviral sensitivity |
| EBV | Heterophile antibody, full EBV serology, EBV DNA, in situ detection of EBV mRNA and proteins |
| HSV | Culture, specific antigen detection, HSV antibodies, HSV DNA |
| HHV-6 | Culture, antigen detection, IgG, and IgM, HHV-6 DNA |
| VZV | Direct antigen, culture, IgG, IgM, VZV DNA |
| Other viruses | |
| Adenovirus | Culture, EM, direct antigen detection, serology |
| Arboviruses | Serology, molecular tests, isolation |
| Enteroviruses | Culture, enterovirus IgM, enteroviral RNA |
| Haemorrhagic fever | |
| Viruses | Culture, serology, molecular tests |
| Measles | Serology, culture, molecular tests |
| Molluscum contagiosum | EM |
| Mumps | Culture, serology, molecular tests |
| Orf | EM |
| HPV | EM, HPV DNA |
| Parvovirus | IgG, IgM, parvovirus B19 DNA |
| BKV and JCV | EM, serology, culture, DNA detection |
| Respiratory viruses (such as influenza A and B, parainfluenza viruses, SARS-CoV, and RSV) and new human metapneumovirus | Direct antigen detection, culture, serology, subtyping, nucleic acid detection, molecular tests |
| Rotaviruses and other gut viruses (astrovirus, calicivirus, Norwalk-like) | Antigen detection, EM, RNA detection |
| Rubella | IgG, IgM, rubella RNA, antibody avidity |
| Non-viral agents | |
| Chlamydia trachomatis | DNA detection, antigen detection, culture, serology |
| Chlamydia psittaci | Serology, DNA detection |
| Chlamydia pneumoniae | Serology, DNA detection |
| Coxiella burnetii | Serology |
| Legionella | Antigen detection (urine and BAL), serology |
| Mycoplasma pneumoniae | Serology (often performed in microbiology laboratories) |
| Pneumocystis carinii | Antigen detection |
| Q fever | Serology |
| Rickettsia | Serology |
| Toxoplasma | Serology, DNA detection |