Virology

This week we in Infectious Disease lecture, we discussed viruses. This included viral structure and testing methods for the viruses. One method of testing, NAAT or nucleic acid amplification testing, has always been interesting to me. NAAT testing is performed on deceased donors who are donating organs for transplantation. The NAAT testing results usually take several hours and if results are indeterminant, it take a lot longer. NAAT testing can be qualitative or quantitative. It can be used to screen for HBV, HCV, HIV,CMV, HSV, and other viruses. NAAT testing was developed to shorten the window period or time or the time a patient has been infected and symptoms appear.

Another testing method that was discussed during lecture was Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which is solid phase or membrane immunoassays. Most ELISA assays use a labeled antigen to detect a specific antibody and a captured or sandwich method where an antigen/antibody complex is formed. The picture below demonstrates the steps in the assay.