Viruses do not behave as other microbes; their life cycles require infecting healthy cells, commandeering their cellular apparatus, replicating and then killing the host cell. Methods for virus detection and identification have been developed only in the past few decades. These recently developed methods include molecular, physical, and proteomic techniques. All these approaches (Electron Microscopy, Molecular, Direct Counting, and Mass Spectrometry Proteomics) to detection and identification are reviewed in this succinct volume. It is written in approachable language with enough detail for trained professionals to follow and want to recommend to others.

Key Features

• Covers common detection methods
• Reviews the history of detection from antiquity to the present
• Documents the strengths and weaknesses of various detection methods
• Describes how to detect newly discovered viruses
• Recommends specific applications for clinical, hospital, environmental, and public health uses