Laboratory diagnosis of SARS

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Infectious Diseases
• Diagnostic Medicine

Background:

• Emerging viral infections necessitate robust diagnostic tools for differential diagnosis and disease burden assessment.
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was identified as the cause of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in April 2003.
• Significant efforts have focused on developing molecular and serological tests for SARS for rapid detection and control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of diagnostic test development for emerging viral pathogens.
• To review the progress in laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV infection.
• To emphasize the role of serological tests in confirming SARS infection.

Main Methods:

• Review of international progress in laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV.
• Analysis of the human immune response to SARS.
• Evaluation of molecular and serological detection methods.

Main Results:

• Internationally agreed World Health Organization criteria for SARS confirmation have been established.
• Molecular detection tests during acute SARS illness have sub-optimal predictive value.
• Serological tests on convalescent sera are essential for confirming SARS infection.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of viral infections like SARS is critical for public health.
• Serological testing is vital for confirming past SARS-CoV exposure and disease burden.
• Continued development of diagnostic strategies is needed for novel viral threats.