Diagnostic Virology Protocols

Shirley F. Reising

This book provides detailed laboratory procedures for the detection of most human viral pathogens using the most up-to-date methodology. Consistent procedural formatting throughout aids the reader in understanding the technologies. The editors propose to assimilate into one book modern diagnostic technologies for the detection of most viral pathogens. This book is well suited for use in progressive laboratories engaged in rapid, dynamic analysis of clinical material. The methods detailed will soon become the standard for detection of viruses. Thus, it is an invaluable source of information for clinical and non-clinical virologists and microbiologists. The reader is guided through the procedures by consistent use of detailed algorithms. Experts in the field present point-by-point protocols and provide explicit commentary gained from their own experience. These state-of-the-art techniques and protocols for rapid detection of viruses can be readily adapted into most laboratories. Procedures are presented for the detection of common families of viruses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR), RNA gel electrophoresis, PCR-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA), and others. Additional applications such as quantitation of viral DNA, rapid screening of blood donors for Parvovirus B-19, and automated sequencing of HIV-1 from dried blood spots are also outlined. Chapters reviewing use of automation, recombinant antigens, and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), emerging technologies that can be utilized for specific and sensitive viral diagnosis, are included. This book is useful and informative and would be a good asset to mostresearch laboratories. While very few clinical laboratories would run these assays routinely, useful information can still be gained. For those that do perform the assays, it is invaluable. The obvious hands-on bench experience of the authors' sets this book apart from other diagnostic virology books that outline current methodologies for viral diagnosis such as Lennette's Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Infectionsor Desselberger's Medical Virology: A Practical Approach. This is evidenced by the authors' detailed, helpful notes included at the end of each chapter.

Booknews

Comprises 26 contributions which present techniques for detecting many of the major viruses that afflict mankind. Representative paper topics include rapid detection of adenovirus from fecal specimens, entoroviruses and rhinoviruses, poxviruses, and robotic analyzers. Includes information on all the new technologies: PCR; RIA; ELISA; and latex-agglutination. The protocols are designed to be easily reproducible. Plastic comb bound. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

From The Critics

Reviewer: Shirley F. Reising, PhD(Children's Hospital Medical Center)
Description: This book provides detailed laboratory procedures for the detection of most human viral pathogens using the most up-to-date methodology. Consistent procedural formatting throughout aids the reader in understanding the technologies.
Purpose: The editors propose to assimilate into one book modern diagnostic technologies for the detection of most viral pathogens.
Audience: This book is well suited for use in progressive laboratories engaged in rapid, dynamic analysis of clinical material. The methods detailed will soon become the standard for detection of viruses. Thus, it is an invaluable source of information for clinical and non-clinical virologists and microbiologists.
Features: The reader is guided through the procedures by consistent use of detailed algorithms. Experts in the field present point-by-point protocols and provide explicit commentary gained from their own experience. These state-of-the-art techniques and protocols for rapid detection of viruses can be readily adapted into most laboratories. Procedures are presented for the detection of common families of viruses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT/PCR), RNA gel electrophoresis, PCR-enzyme immunoassay (PCR-EIA), and others. Additional applications such as quantitation of viral DNA, rapid screening of blood donors for Parvovirus B-19, and automated sequencing of HIV-1 from dried blood spots are also outlined. Chapters reviewing use of automation, recombinant antigens, and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), emerging technologies that can be utilized for specific and sensitive viral diagnosis, are included.
Assessment: This book is useful and informative and would be a good asset to most research laboratories. While very few clinical laboratories would run these assays routinely, useful information can still be gained. For those that do perform the assays, it is invaluable. The obvious hands-on bench experience of the authors' sets this book apart from other diagnostic virology books that outline current methodologies for viral diagnosis such as Lennette's Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Infectionsor Desselberger's Medical Virology: A Practical Approach. This is evidenced by the authors' detailed, helpful notes included at the end of each chapter.

3 Stars from Doody