E-Book Overview
A collection of cutting-edge techniques for detecting most of the major viruses that afflict mankind, including influenza, hepatitis, herpes, polio, mumps, HIV, and many more. The techniques are well-tested, easily reproducible, and readily employ all the new technologies-PCR, RIA, ELISA, and latex-agglutination-that have revolutionized the field. These methods not only make it possible to do the necessary analysis in hours instead of days, but can also be automated in a laboratory havng only low levels of biological containment. Frequently, the protocols for viruses causing human diseases can be adapted to similar viruses of veterinary importance. Through its state-of-the-art methods a physician can, for the first time, determine early in a viral infection which antiviral drug should be used and minimize the period of treatment to avoid unnecessary side effects.
E-Book Content
1 Rapid Detection of Adenovirus from Fecal Specimens Tanvir Tabish, Alan Warnes, and Stuart Clark 1. Introduction In 1953, the first adenovirus was isolated from a human and, subsequently, 47 types have been shown to exist. Adenoviruses are now classified mto six subgroups (A-F), which are based on their hemagglutmatlon properties (I). They have a lcosahedron structure that contains double-stranded lmear DNA of 45,000 basepan-s. Although, adenovlruses can cause a range of infections m humans, including conJunctivltls, pharyngltls, and gastroenterltls, this chapter focuses on gastroenterlc adenoviruses and their rapid detection m fecal samples. The incidence of adenovn-al infections causing gastroenterms ISwell-documented, accounting for 5-l 5% of all viral infections, which occur throughout the year with no particular seasonal peak (2). The incubation period IS dosedependent, but usually takes 5-8 d to the onset of clinical symptoms. The ability of adenovu-uses to infect the intestinal tract 1sdue to