[PCR--a highly sensitive method for identification and study of virus infections]

Viral infections can be diagnosed with using methods of molecular biology. Provided at least part of the gene sequence is known for the virus under consideration, the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technique can be used to identify such viruses as HIV, papilloma virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, enterovirus, the hepatitis viruses and diarrhoeagenic viruses. Developments in this field have occurred with unprecedented rapidity. The review is primarily focused on fields where the techniques of molecular biology have crucially contributed to our knowledge of uiral pathogenesis.