Laboratory Medicine | Virology Lab

• Max Q. Arens, Ph.D., Associate Director  h | c
• Gregory A. Storch, M.D., Director  h | c

The Virology Laboratory offers a full range of testing for common viral agents isolated from adult and pediatric patients. Cell culture and shell vial assays are the mainstay of offered tests. Specimens are received, processed and inoculated into a variety of cell cultures which support the growth of common viral isolates. Inoculated cell cultures are then observed daily for the development of viral cytopathic effect. In an effort to provide a more timely diagnosis, the laboratory also offers rapid antigen detection tests for a variety of viral agents. These rapid assays rely on the use of monoclonal antibodies in a fluorescent antibody test format to detect viral antigens in cells present in the specimen.. Viruses detected in these rapid assays include respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus and varicella zoster virus. Recognizing the increased usage of antiviral drugs and the concomitant development of resistance to these agents, the Virology Laboratory also offers susceptibility testing for isolates of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus to the drugs acyclovir and ganciclovir. Lastly, because of the requirement for cell culture, the Virology Laboratory performs culture for the isolation of chlamydia from clinical specimens.