Molecular based methods have advanced the centre testing to faster and better diagnostics. PCR methods, microarray and next generation sequencing have provided speed and
high level of accuracy. Molecular biology based methods are sensitive and quick to detect microbial pathogens in various clinical specimens.
We offer molecular detection of pathogenic viruses, bacteria and parasites from clinical specimens. MBG is ISO 15189 accredited and benefits from a stand-alone
containment Level 3 facility where samples for highly contagious pathogen are received and processed.
Four species of Human corona viruses, 2 alpha (HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E) and 2 beta (HcoV-OC043 and HcoV-HKU1) are considered as pathogens causing upper respiratory tract disease and the second main cause of the common colds in adults. Unlike SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 that are associated with severe respiratory disease, the four common HCoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, and HKU1) generally cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illness, where they produce virus and cause local respiratory symptoms. Also, re-infection of CoV is common due to rapidly decreasing antibody levels.Corona virus infection shows varying degrees of symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. So, the clinical morphological diagnoses are not sensitive to distinguish on species basis. But,PCR primers can be designed to be broadly reactive or strain specific, based on primer binding sites (usually in the viral replicase and/or the N gene). Different assays are available and most of them are species specific. A multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay capable of detecting all four common HCoVs (HCoV-229E, OC43, NL63 and HKU1) has become the diagnostic method of choice.
The Turnaround (TAT) for routine samples is within 3 working days.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day (unless urgent).
Urgent Samples will be reported within 24-48 hours and will be charged double.
Human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLVs) belong to a larger group of primate T-cell lymphotropic viruses (PTLVs) within the family Retroviridae. To date, four different types have been identified: HTLV types 1, 2, 3 and 4. HTLV-1 and 2 are classified into the genus Delta retrovirus.
HTLV-1 was the first human retrovirus to be isolated from a patient with a T-cell malignancy in 1979. It is estimated that 10 to 20 million people worldwide may be infected with HTLV-1. The type 1 virus (HTLV-1) has been identified in all five continents, and its areas of great prevalence include Japan, Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean basin, South America, Melanesia and the Middle East.
HTLV-1 is etiologically associated with adult T Cell Leukemia and with HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), which is a chronic neurological inflammatory disease of slow progression. Other inflammatory diseases such as uveitis, polymyositis, arthritis and alveolitis, as well as infective dermatitis and some types of skin lesions are also associated with type 1.
HTLV-1 is transmitted primarily through infected body fluids including blood, breast milk and semen. Risk factors include unprotected sex, injecting drug use and transplantation of tissue, blood and blood products. An estimated 5–10 million people globally are infected with HTLV-1, although that number is probably higher due to a lack of reliable data (WHO).
After the initial infection, the virus never completely goes away but remains in the body in an inactive (latent) form. A small percentage of those infected go on to develop one of several associated diseases, typically months to many years or even decades after their initial exposure, and may then become acutely or chronically ill.
Method
Real Time RT-PCR
Sample Type
Recommended specimen types: Tissue or EDTA Blood(>=3mL)
Transport Condition
Sample should be transported at 4°C.
Turn Around Time (TAT)
The Turnaround (TAT) for routine samples is within 3 working days.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day (unless urgent). Urgent Samples will be reported within 24-48 hours and will be charged double.
Molecular based methods have advanced the centre testing to faster and better diagnostics. PCR methods, microarray and next generation sequencing have provided speed and
high level of accuracy. Molecular biology based methods are sensitive and quick to detect microbial pathogens in various clinical specimens.
We offer molecular detection of pathogenic viruses, bacteria and parasites from clinical specimens. MBG is ISO 15189 accredited and benefits from a stand-alone
containment Level 3 facility where samples for highly contagious pathogen are received and processed.
Four species of Human corona viruses, 2 alpha (HCoV-NL63 and HCoV-229E) and 2 beta (HcoV-OC043 and HcoV-HKU1) are considered as pathogens causing upper respiratory tract disease and the second main cause of the common colds in adults. Unlike SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 that are associated with severe respiratory disease, the four common HCoVs (229E, OC43, NL63, and HKU1) generally cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illness, where they produce virus and cause local respiratory symptoms. Also, re-infection of CoV is common due to rapidly decreasing antibody levels.Corona virus infection shows varying degrees of symptoms, ranging from no symptoms (asymptomatic) to severe symptoms. So, the clinical morphological diagnoses are not sensitive to distinguish on species basis. But,PCR primers can be designed to be broadly reactive or strain specific, based on primer binding sites (usually in the viral replicase and/or the N gene). Different assays are available and most of them are species specific. A multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay capable of detecting all four common HCoVs (HCoV-229E, OC43, NL63 and HKU1) has become the diagnostic method of choice.
The Turnaround (TAT) for routine samples is within 3 working days.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day (unless urgent).
Urgent Samples will be reported within 24-48 hours and will be charged double.
Human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLVs) belong to a larger group of primate T-cell lymphotropic viruses (PTLVs) within the family Retroviridae. To date, four different types have been identified: HTLV types 1, 2, 3 and 4. HTLV-1 and 2 are classified into the genus Delta retrovirus.
HTLV-1 was the first human retrovirus to be isolated from a patient with a T-cell malignancy in 1979. It is estimated that 10 to 20 million people worldwide may be infected with HTLV-1. The type 1 virus (HTLV-1) has been identified in all five continents, and its areas of great prevalence include Japan, Sub-Saharan Africa, Caribbean basin, South America, Melanesia and the Middle East.
HTLV-1 is etiologically associated with adult T Cell Leukemia and with HTLV-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), which is a chronic neurological inflammatory disease of slow progression. Other inflammatory diseases such as uveitis, polymyositis, arthritis and alveolitis, as well as infective dermatitis and some types of skin lesions are also associated with type 1.
HTLV-1 is transmitted primarily through infected body fluids including blood, breast milk and semen. Risk factors include unprotected sex, injecting drug use and transplantation of tissue, blood and blood products. An estimated 5–10 million people globally are infected with HTLV-1, although that number is probably higher due to a lack of reliable data (WHO).
After the initial infection, the virus never completely goes away but remains in the body in an inactive (latent) form. A small percentage of those infected go on to develop one of several associated diseases, typically months to many years or even decades after their initial exposure, and may then become acutely or chronically ill.
Method
Real Time RT-PCR
Sample Type
Recommended specimen types: Tissue or EDTA Blood(>=3mL)
Transport Condition
Sample should be transported at 4°C.
Turn Around Time (TAT)
The Turnaround (TAT) for routine samples is within 3 working days.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day (unless urgent). Urgent Samples will be reported within 24-48 hours and will be charged double.
