Trends in the rapid diagnosis of viral infections

The authors discuss different aspects of the rapid diagnosis of viral infections: its necessity, its characteristics, the recent advances having allowed the development of modern techniques. Further, the main categories of procedures used in rapid viral diagnosis are reviewed: 1) electron microscopy, 2) immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques; 3) solid-phase systems with labelled reactants; 4) agglutination with supporting particles; 5) counterimmunoelectrophoresis; 6) rapid/early serological diagnosis. Data are discussed as regards the possibility of the large-scale application of rapid viral diagnosis procedures in Romania.