Laboratory methods to confirm diagnosis

Question 1

What are some lab methods to confirm diagnosis?

Answer 1

Isolation and growth of virus
Cytopathic effects in cells
Electron microscopy to detect viral particles
Detection of viral components (proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids)
Evaluation of the patient’s immune response (serology)

Question 2

What are cytopathic effects in in cells?

Answer 2

changes in cells do to viral infections

Question 3

How are viruses cultivated?

Answer 3

Tissue culture
Embryonated egg
Intact animal

Question 4

What are consequences of viral infection?

Answer 4

Depends on the type of virus, and in some cases cell type.

Proliferation of host cell (transformation)-formation of masses of cells piled on one another (viruses often induce growth)

Cytopathic effects of viral infection:

Cell death and lysis- Rounding of cells and then lysis

Fusion of membranes of adjacent cells (syncytia)- formation of multinucleate giant cells (found especially with viruses that have an F protein)

Inclusion bodies- HSV: Cowdry type A, and Rabies: negri bodies