Scientists at Duke University in the United States have identified biomarkers that accurately identify numerous viral infections at all clinical stages of disease. The study results, reported in a press release on MedicalXpress, will help develop new measures to contain epidemic and pandemic infections, including COVID-19.
In the course of scientific work, which was carried out from 2009 to 2015, experts analyzed biological samples taken from students who contracted respiratory tract infections. There were 264 clinical cases in total, with 150 having a respiratory viral nature, which was confirmed by PCR testing. Close contact was also monitored between patients and their roommates, close friends and partners.
Of the 555 close contacts included in the study, 162 developed symptoms of respiratory tract infections, while 106 cases were confirmed by conventional PCR.
For most of the study participants, the gene expression test accurately predicted viral infection three days before the onset of pronounced symptoms, often before any symptoms appeared or the virus was detected in samples.
