Detection of viral genome (qualitative): clinical applications
| • Detection of viruses that cannot easily be cultured: for example, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, HIV, hepatitis C |
| • Where maximum sensitivity for viral detection is required: for example, ocular, amniotic, cerebrospinal fluid for presence of herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, JC virus, cytomegalovirus, and rubella virus |
| • Where antibody testing is inappropriate: for example, in a primary infection (before antibody seroconversion; where passively acquired antibody may complicate the diagnosis in babies born to HCV or HIV infected mothers or in immunosuppressed patients |
| • To exclude infectivity: for example of blood and blood products |