Virological methodology
In vitro/ex vivo testing Antiviral and antibody evaluation
Viral burden is quantified using distinct virological and molecular methodologies:
Cytopathic Effect (CPE) Assay: Evaluates virus-induced morphological degeneration, lysis, and cell death within the host cell monolayer.
Median Tissue Culture Infectious Dose (TCID 50) Assay: Quantifies the viral concentration required to induce infection or cytopathology in 50% of inoculated cell culture replicates.
Plaque Assay: Measures the formation of discrete, localized areas of cellular lysis (plaques) in the host monolayer, serving as the gold-standard benchmark for infectious titer determination.
- Quantitative PCR / Reverse Transcription-PCR (qPCR/RT-qPCR): Quantifies viral genomic copy numbers based on DNA or RNA templates, offering high-throughput molecular sensitivity.