Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tech & Science

New test can detect any virus known to infect humans and animals

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed an all-in-one test that can detect and identify almost any viral infection known to exist in humans and animals. This is a big statement, but researchers say they can back up their claim.

With the new test, called ViroCap, even very low levels of viruses, such as Ebola, Marburg and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are picked up. The test is also capable of detecting rotavirus and norovirus, both responsible for severe gastrointestinal illnesses, reports Mother Nature News.

The study’s senior author, Gregory Storch, MD, the Ruth L. Siteman Professor of Pediatrics, said “With this test, you don’t have to know what you’re looking for. It casts a broad net and can efficiently detect viruses that are present at very low levels. We think the test will be especially useful in situations where a diagnosis remains elusive after standard testing or in situations in which the cause of a disease outbreak is unknown.”

Use of DNA and RNA sequencing
The test was developed in collaboration with the university’s McDonnell Genome Institute. Researchers analysed every known group of viruses infecting man and animals. They identified unique stretches or “probes” of DNA and RNA found in each virus.

The “probes” were then used to pluck out viruses from patient samples that were a genetic match. Further genetic sequencing narrows it down to a specific virus. According to a news release by the university, the new test is “just as sensitive as the gold-standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, which are used widely in clinical laboratories.”

The university is making the technology they have developed available to scientists and clinicians worldwide for the benefit of science and humankind. The researchers do caution the test will require further study before it can be put into use by doctors around the world, and this may take a few more years.

The real excitement about this test stems from the possibilities for future use. Co-author Kristine Wylie, Ph.D., says, “It also may be possible to modify the test so that it could be used to detect pathogens other than viruses, including bacteria, fungi and other microbes, as well as genes that would indicate the pathogen is resistant to treatment with antibiotics or other drugs.” Now, wouldn’t that be something?

This important research was published in the peer-reviewed international journal, Genome Research on September 22, 2015, and is entitled, “Enhanced virome sequencing through solution-based capture enrichment.”

Avatar photo
Written By

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

You may also like:

World

Calling for urgent action is the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

World

Immigration is a symptom of a much deeper worldwide problem.

Business

Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas - Copyright AFP Mark FelixPointing to the still...

Business

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal infers that some workers might be falling out of the job market altogether.