Question

You are employed at the clinic and there is a potential viral outbreak in the town. The scientists figured out a specific viral protein that can be a potential target to screen for the presence of the infection. Suddenly, you have around 500 people at your clinic who are required to be checked for the viral infection within a couple of hours.

Answer the following questions:

1. What will be the most efficient and fast technique to screen the patient for potential viral infection? Briefly explain why you would choose this specific technique. (2 marks)

2. List the materials you must need to perform the screening, with your choice of your technique. (3 marks)

Answer 1

1. For screening the viral infection, there are different types of samples used including blood, Urine, saliva, stool, organ tissue and spinal fluid. The type of sample used depends on the type of infection the patient has. Several tests may used to check the Viral infection. The potetial teste includes Swab tests and Antibody test (Immunoglobulin Test).

The Antibody tests are done to find out whether the immunoglobulin levels are too high or low in the body.

If the immunoglobulins are too low which may cause Viral infections and if its too high which may cause auto immune diseases.

Another method for the rapid detction of Virus is the ImmunoFlourescence assay IF Method. This method helps to identify the Virus antigens in clinical specimes.IF staining is very rapid and usually gives a specific viral identification.

2. For the Antibody tests the medical adviser needs a needle to get the blood sample or it can be done with the cerebrospinal fluid.

And for the IF test the materials needed are :

• Antigen specific Antibody
• Phosphare buffered saloine.
• Cell culture growth medium.
• Secondary Antibody.
• Methanol.
• Micro pippettes,
• CO2 incubator.
• Microcentrifuge tubes.
• Microbiology Safety cabinet.
• Micriscope.