Director, Clinical Virology Laboratory
Professor of Laboratory Medicine and of Medicine (Infectious Diseases); Vice Chair for Quality and Safety, Laboratory Medicine; Director, Clinical Virology Laboratory
Clinical Virology
Credit: Robert A. Lisak
A medical technologist is preparing patients’ samples for testing. Most virology tests use molecular or immunologic methods and results are available within one to 48 hours
Virology is a rapidly changing field. Thus, the laboratory frequently modifies its test menu in order to keep abreast of current developments and provide the best services to our patients.
The Clinical Virology Laboratory performs molecular methods for viruses, serology for viruses, syphilis ( Treponema pallidum) and Toxoplasma gondii, as well as C. difficile testing. See complete lists of Tests Performed below.
Due to our ability to quickly offer laboratory-developed molecular tests, we have been able to respond rapidly to disease outbreaks, such as the 2009 influenza H1N1 and the COVID-19 pandemics, and the Mpox epidemic.
Our laboratory offers many tests not available in most hospitals or from commercial vendors. For example, the Clinical Virology Laboratory was the first non-reference laboratory in the U.S. to receive Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for a High Complexity Molecular Based SARS CoV-2 Test and for several weeks early in the pandemic we were the only hospital in Connecticut with on-site testing. Subsequently, multiple commercial SARS CoV-2 RNA amplification tests have been added to our test menu.
The Virology Laboratory Director and Laboratory Manager are available by phone or email for consultations and questions.
Clinical Virology Teaching Rounds with a focus on laboratory diagnosis are one Tuesday a month. In addition, Clinical Virology Newsletters are available on line.
Clinical Virology Services
Tests Performed
Download full listing of all Virology Tests Performed (see above right)
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Molecular | Real-time PCR for virus detection and quantification |
| Serology | Viral, Syphilis and Toxoplasma gondii assays by CIA, ELISA, agglutination and lateral flow immunochromatography |
| Clostridium difficile | Real-time toxin B gene PCR with reflex to toxin immunoassay |
Faculty
Images
Reviewing results for a laboratory developed test (LDT) using real-time TaqMan PCR methodology in the Clinical Virology Laboratory.
A medical laboratory assistant receives samples in the Clinical Virology Laboratory.
A medical laboratory scientist analyzes amplification curves for a laboratory developed real-time quantitative PCR test.
A medical laboratory scientist prepares patient samples for virus detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All samples are handled in a biological safety cabinet.
A medical laboratory scientist loads samples onto an automated instrument for viral load testing by real-time PCR.
A medical laboratory scientist performs an ELISA to detect antibodies to West Nile virus.
Download the full listing of all Virology Tests Performed