Rapid viral diagnosis by immunofluorescence reactions.

Data are reviewed that illustrate the efficacy of the immunofluorescence (IF) technique as a method of rapid viral diagnosis. Its constant application in the "Stefan S. Nicolau" Institute of Virology has allowed the detection of viral and/or inframicrobial antigens in cells from patients with eye diseases (keratoconjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis), stomatitis, skin diseases, benign and malignant gynecopathies, male urethritis, respiratory diseases, facial paralysis, etc. The IF technique has an incontestable advantage as regards the detection of the simultaneous presence of several infectious agents in the same patient. The prerequisites and prospects of a wider application of IF methods for rapid viral diagnosis are briefly discussed.