Diagnosis Of Human Viruses By Polymerase Chain Reaction Technology

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most sensitive method for revealing the presence of otherwise undetectable quantities of the genome of RNA or DNA of human viruses. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Human Viral Diagnosis addresses the urgent need to use this revolutionary technology in reference and routine diagnostic laboratories. It informs the molecular biologist of the most appropriate clinical uses for PCR and educates the clinician and medical virologist about the subtleties and benefits of gene amplification. The reader is given an understanding and appreciation of the principles of PCR and how, why, and where it should be applied. The book explains the principles behind PCR and its role in the diagnostic and public health laboratory. The application of PCR to the detection and investigation of viral latency and persistence is presented by the originators of in situ amplification. There are individual contributions from experts in their respective fields on the detection, characterization, and analysis by PCR of gastroenteritis viruses, hepatitis viruses, herpesviruses, rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, flaviviruses, polyomaviruses, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV-I and II); and measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, rabies, and B19 viruses.

The basis for the effective treatment and cure of a patient is the rapid diagnosis of the disease and its causative agent, which is based on the analysis of the clinical symptoms coupled with laboratory tests. Although rapid advance ments have been made in the laboratory diagnosis of virus diseases, the neces sary isolation of the causative virus from the clinical specimens is a relatively long procedure. Viruses which integrate into the cellular DNA (such as human immunodeficiency virus, HIV -1, or hepatitis B virus) are difficult to identify by molecular techniques, while viruses which exist in the clinical material in low concentrations are even more formidable to identify. Recently, the application of the polymerase chain reaction (peR) technique developed by K. D. Mullis and detailed in the study by Saiki et al. (1985) led to a revolution in virus diagnosis. The peR technique was rapidly applied to the diagnosis of viruses in clinical material. Volume 1 of Frontiers of Virology provides new information on the advan tages of the use of the peR for the diagnosis of many human disease-causing viruses, as well as on some problems with its use.

Molecular diagnostic procedures have been described in a number of recent books and articles. However, these publications have not focused on virus detection, nor have they provided practical protocols for the newer molecular methods. Written by the inventors or principal developers of these technologies, Molecular Methods for Virus Detection provides both reviews of individual methods and instructions for detecting virus nucleic acid sequences in clinical specimens. Each procedure includes quality assurance protocols that are often ignored by other methodology books. Molecular Methods for Virus Detection provides clinically relevant procedures for many of the newer diagnostic methodologies. Provides state-of-the-art PCR methods for amplification, quantitation, in situ hybridization, and multiplex reactions Goes beyond PCR with protocols for 3SR, NASBA, LCR, SDA, and LAT Covers important virus detection methods such as in situ hybridization; Southern, dot, and slot blots; branched chain signal amplification; and chemiluminescence Includes quality control information crucial in research and clinical laboratories Most chapters are written by the inventors and principal developers of the methodologies Includes color plates, 77 figures, and 18 tables

Today the diagnosis of human and animal pathogenic viruses would be unthinkable without the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The short-styled protocols in this volume elucidate this important technique and its application in the laboratory, including a discussion of recent advances in PCR technology. The enclosed diskette enables the user to work with interesting sequences on his own computer.

Written from the perspective of the diagnostician, this bestselling book is the definitive text on the laboratory diagnosis of human viral diseases. It contains a wealth of illustrations, tables, and algorithms to enhance your understanding of this ever-evolving field. The book is a ready reference for virologists, microbiologists, epidemiologists, laboratorians, and infections disease specialists, and students.

The main theme of the book is sustainable disease management in a European context. Some of the questions addressed are: How does society benefit from plant pathology research? How can new molecular approaches solve relevant problems in disease management? What other fields can we exploit in plant pathology research? What challenges are associated with free trade across the new borders? How can we contribute to solving problems of developing countries? How does plant pathology contribute to food quality and safety? How does globalization/internationalization affect teaching and extension in plant pathology?

Early detection is essential to the control of emerging, reemerging, and novel infectious diseases, whether naturally occurring or intentionally introduced. Containing the spread of such diseases in a profoundly interconnected world requires active vigilance for signs of an outbreak, rapid recognition of its presence, and diagnosis of its microbial cause, in addition to strategies and resources for an appropriate and efficient response. Although these actions are often viewed in terms of human public health, they also challenge the plant and animal health communities. Surveillance, defined as "the continual scrutiny of all aspects of occurrence and spread of a disease that are pertinent to effective control", involves the "systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data." Disease detection and diagnosis is the act of discovering a novel, emerging, or reemerging disease or disease event and identifying its cause. Diagnosis is "the cornerstone of effective disease control and prevention efforts, including surveillance." Disease surveillance and detection relies heavily on the astute individual: the clinician, veterinarian, plant pathologist, farmer, livestock manager, or agricultural extension agent who notices something unusual, atypical, or suspicious and brings this discovery in a timely way to the attention of an appropriate representative of human public health, veterinary medicine, or agriculture. Most developed countries have the ability to detect and diagnose human, animal, and plant diseases. Global Infectious Disease Surveillance and Detection: Assessing the Challenges-Finding Solutions, Workshop Summary is part of a 10 book series and summarizes the recommendations and presentations of the workshop.

Molecular Virology of Human Pathogenic Viruses presents robust coverage of the key principles of molecular virology while emphasizing virus family structure and providing key context points for topical advances in the field. The book is organized in a logical manner to aid in student discoverability and comprehension and is based on the author’s more than 20 years of teaching experience. Each chapter will describe the viral life cycle covering the order of classification, virion and genome structure, viral proteins, life cycle, and the effect on host and an emphasis on virus-host interaction is conveyed throughout the text. Molecular Virology of Human Pathogenic Viruses provides essential information for students and professionals in virology, molecular biology, microbiology, infectious disease, and immunology and contains outstanding features such as study questions and recommended journal articles with perspectives at the end of each chapter to assist students with scientific inquiries and in reading primary literature. Presents viruses within their family structure Contains recommended journal articles with perspectives to put primary literature in context Includes integrated recommended reading references within each chapter Provides access to online ancillary package inclusive of annotated PowerPoint images, instructor’s manual, study guide, and test bank