Laboratory Medicine | Molecular Virology Lab

• Richard S. Buller, Ph.D., Assistant Director  h | c
• Gregory A. Storch, M.D., Director  h | c

The Molecular Virology Laboratory performs tests utilizing polymerase chain reaction-based technology to specifically amplify and detect the presence of nucleic acid sequences from a variety of infectious disease agents in patient specimens.

Currently, agents detected include the following organisms causing systemic infections: cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus B19, human herpes virus type 6, human herpes virus type 7, and Ehrlichia sp. Blood is generally the specimen of choice for these agents. A second group of agents includes those associated with infections of the central nervous system. These agents include: herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, varicella zoster virus, JC virus (human polyoma virus), enteroviruses and Toxoplasma gondii. The specimen of choice for these infections is generally cerebrospinal fluid.

The Molecular Virology Laboratory actively seeks collaborations with investigators interested in exploring new applications of PCR-based diagnosis.