The Institute carries out all virological diagnostics for the University Hospital Ulm and some external senders. These are mostly highly specialised services. For this purpose, special examination procedures are continuously developed, improved and validated.
The medical laboratory is accredited by the DAkkS in accordance with DIN EN ISO 15189:2014. The accreditation is only valid for the scope of accreditation listed in the certificate annex D-ML-13294-05-00.
One focus is the virological monitoring of immunosuppressed patients, in particular transplant patients from paediatrics and adult medicine. This virological monitoring is crucial for the success of these forms of therapy in high-performance medicine (e.g. bone marrow transplantation), as patients are often at risk of death due to exogenous and reactivated viral infections. Other areas of specialisation include the diagnosis of respiratory viral infections, infections during pregnancy and resistance testing to various antiviral drugs for different viral pathogens (e.g. HSV-1, HCMV, HBV, HIV).
Emergency service (influenza viruses A/B, RSV, SARS-CoV-2)
The Institute of Virology carries out emergency diagnostics within the clinic on all non-working days (Saturday, Sunday, public holidays) (acceptance times: 9:00 - 12:00, closing time).
Laboratory: 0731 500 65108
Outside of the virology acceptance times, sample material must be handed in to the emergency laboratory "Clinical Chemistry" (OE) (Tel.: +49 731 500-67555). Samples are collected by the virology department.
If the results are to be communicated other than via the LIS (Medat/SAP), it must be clearly stated to whom and how the results are to be communicated.
Prof Dr Th. Stamminger
Notes and instructions for paperless requests via the Medat system.
The paperless request is available to all ward workstations in the IS-H*MED hospital information system. Examination orders are automatically pre-assigned with the currently valid patient master data, the flow logic of the request form ensures that nonsensical requests are minimised and that sufficient samples are provided for the desired examinations.
An application form is available for written applications. The complete range of services offered by the Institute is shown on the application form. The desired examination can be requested by the sender by clicking on it or after printing out the form and marking the desired examinations.
The completedrequest form, together with the clearly labelled test material, will be sent to the laboratory during laboratory opening hours in compliance with the regulations on the transport of infectious material. Additional tests can be requested by telephone under certain conditions from sample material that has already been sent in.
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | Stool, BAL, biopsy, throat lavage, swabs, cerebrospinal fluid, EDTA blood** |
| Short-term culture/isolation* | Stool, BAL, throat lavage, swabs, urine |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | faeces |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
Bunyavirus IgG-Ak (IB) Note: Contains Hantaan, Puumala, Dobrava, Sin Nombre and sandfly fever viruses | Serum, plasma |
Bunyavirus IgM-Ak (IB) Note: Contains Hantaan, Puumala, Dobrava, Sin Nombre and sandfly fever viruses | Serum, plasma |
| Puumala virus IgG-Ak (ELISA) | Serum, plasma |
| Puumalavirus IgM-Ak (ELISA) | Serum, plasma |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | Swab, throat lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma |
| IgG-Ak avidity | Serum |
| qPCR | BAL, EDTA blood, bone marrow, smears, biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid, stool** |
| Short-term culture/isolation | BAL, throat rinse, throat swab, urine |
| Resistance testing (Ganciclovir "GCV", Cidofovir "CDV", Foscarnet "FOS", Letermovir "Let") | |
| UL54 genotype (GCV, CDV, FOS) | EDTA blood, biopsy, cerebrospinal fluid, bone marrow, swabs, BAL, isolate, DNA** |
| UL56 genotype (Let) | EDTA blood, biopsy, CSF, bone marrow, smears, BAL, isolate, DNA** |
| UL97 genotype (GCV) | EDTA blood, biopsy, CSF, bone marrow, smears, BAL, isolate, DNA** |
| Phenotype (GCV, FOS, CDV)* | EDTA blood, urine, BAL |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus (OC43, 229E, NL63, HKU1) | Swab, throat lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) | Swab, throat wash, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion, stool, cerebrospinal fluid |
| Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) IgG-Ak (S) | Serum, plasma |
| Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) IgG-Ak (N) | Serum, plasma |
| Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) IgA-Ak (S) | Serum, plasma |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | serum |
| IgM-Ak | serum |
| NS1 antigen | serum |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | CSF, stool, biopsy, pleural effusion, pharyngeal lavage** |
| Short-term culture/isolation* | Cerebrospinal fluid, stool, biopsy, pleural effusion, pharyngeal lavage |
| Typing* | Cerebrospinal fluid, stool, biopsy, pleural effusion, pharyngeal lavage |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| VCA-IgG-Ak | serum |
| VCA-IgM-Ak | serum |
| VCA-IgA-Ak | serum |
| EBNA-1-Ak | serum |
| qPCR | EDTA blood, biopsy, CSF, bone marrow, pharyngeal lavage** |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, cerebrospinal fluid |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, CSF |
| qPCR | CSF |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Stool, serum |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| anti-HBc-Ak | serum, plasma |
| anti-HBc-IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| anti-HBs-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| anti-HBe-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| HBs antigen (qualitative; screening) | Serum, plasma |
| HBs antigen (confirmatory test) | Serum, plasma |
HBs antigen (quantitative)* Note: only for therapy/progression | Serum, plasma |
| HBe antigen | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Serum, plasma, biopsy** |
HBV genotyping Note: Determination contains genotype (A-H), resistance, HBsAg escape | Serum, plasma |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| anti-HCV-Ak | serum, plasma |
| anti-HCV-Ak (confirmatory test) | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | serum |
| HCV genotyping | serum |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | serum, plasma |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Stool, serum |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | EDTA blood, CSF, throat lavage, swabs, biopsy, BAL, bone marrow** |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | EDTA blood, bone marrow, biopsy** |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| HIV-1/2-Ak/Ag (screening test) | Serum, plasma |
| HIV-1/2-Ak (confirmation test) | Serum, plasma |
| HIV-1/2-p24-Antigen | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | EDTA blood, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma |
| Resistance testing (genotype) | |
| Protease/polymerase | EDTA blood, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma |
| Integrase | EDTA blood, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma |
| Tropism* | EDTA blood, cerebrospinal fluid, plasma |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak (HSV-1/2) | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak (HSV-1/2) | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR (HSV-1) | CSF, swab, biopsy, vesicle contents, throat rinse, EDTA blood** |
| qPCR (HSV-2) | CSF, swab, biopsy, vesicle contents, throat rinse, EDTA blood** |
| Short-term culture/isolation* | Swab, pharyngeal lavage, vesicle contents |
| Resistance testing (acyclovir "ACV", foscarnet "FOS", cidofovir "CDV") | |
| UL23 (TK) genotype (ACV - as well as brivudine*, pen- and famciclovir*) | Swab, vesicle contents, cerebrospinal fluid, EDTA blood, BAL, isolate, DNA** |
| Phenotype (ACV, FOS, CDV)* | Isolate (or positive HSV isolation) |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR (influenza A; incl. subtyping H1, H3) | Swab, throat lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion, pericardial effusion** |
| qPCR (influenza B) | Swab, throat wash, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion, pericardial effusion** |
| Short-term culture/isolation* | Swab, pharyngeal lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Pharyngeal lavage, urine, cerebrospinal fluid |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | Swab, throat lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Short-term culture/isolation* | Swab, pharyngeal lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Pharyngeal lavage, urine, cerebrospinal fluid |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR (incl. subtyping G1, G2) | faeces |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | Cervical smear |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR (parainfluenza virus 1-4) | Swab, throat lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Short-term culture/isolation* | Swab, pharyngeal lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | cerebrospinal fluid |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Serum, EDTA blood (also intrauterine), amniotic fluid, pericardial effusion** |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR (BKV) | Serum, urine** |
| qPCR (JCV) | CSF |
| Polyomavirus isolation (BKV, JCV)* | Urine |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | Swab, throat lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | faeces |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Pharyngeal lavage, urine, amniotic fluid** |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | Swab, throat lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Short-term culture/isolation* | Swab, pharyngeal lavage, tracheal secretion, BAL, nasopharyngeal secretion |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| qPCR | faeces |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Swab, vesicle contents, EDTA blood, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, pharyngeal lavage** |
| Short-term culture/isolation* | Swab, vesicle contents |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak | Serum, plasma |
| Detection (method) | Material |
|---|---|
| IgG-Ak* | Serum, plasma |
| IgM-Ak* | Serum, plasma |
| qPCR | Serum, urine |
Status: 09/06/2023
*Not an accredited test method according to DIN EN ISO 15189:2014
**Note: For the molecular biological test methods (PCR/genotype), basically all materials can be sent in from which the pathogen can be detected (using PCR).
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Blepharitis, granulomatous | Molluscum contagiosum virus |
Blepharitis, ulcerative-necrotising Blepharoconjunctivitis | Herpes simplex virus (primary infection) Varicella zoster virus (zoster ophthalmicus) |
Dacryocystitis, canaliculitis | Coxsackie A viruses Herpes simplex virus (primary infection) Varicella zoster virus Epstein-Barr virus (dacryoadenitis) Mumps virus (dacryoadenitis, also chronic) Measles virus (acute) |
Conjunctivitis, | Herpes simplex virus (HSV) (primary infection) |
Haemorrhagic conjunctivitis | Enterovirus 70 |
Pharyngoconjunctival fever | Adenovirus types 3, 4, 7 and others |
keratitis | Adenoviruses |
Cataract (congenital) | Rubella virus (embryopathy) |
Congenital glaucoma | Rubella virus (buphthalmus) |
retinitis | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (in AIDS) |
Acute necrotising retinitis | Herpes simplex virus (HSV) |
Eye muscle paralysis (ophthalmoplegia etc.) | Varicella zoster virus (VZV) |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Arthritis, arthralgia | Parvovirus B19 |
Myalgia / myositis / Bornholm disease | Enteroviruses: Coxsackie A virus types 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10, 16; Coxsackie B virus types 1-6; ECHO viruses |
Tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP, also known as HTLV-associated myelopathy HAM) | HTLV-I, possibly HTLV-II |
Post-poliomyelitis syndrome | Poliovirus type 1, 2, 3 (previously expired) |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Anaemia | Parvovirus B19 |
Leucopenia, lymphopenia | Measles |
Thrombocytopenia | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (in immunosuppressed and congenitally infected persons) |
Pancytopenia | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
Atypical mononuclear cells in the blood count | Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (infectious mononucleosis, Pfeiffer's glandular fever) |
Cold agglutinins | Mycoplasma pneumoniae |
Lymphadenopathy | Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) |
Predominantly localised | Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (cervical) |
Splenomegaly | Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) |
Immunosuppression | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
Leukaemia, lymphoma: | HTLV-I |
Coagulation disorder, haemorrhages, haemorrhagic fevers | Dengue viruses (usually second infection) |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Oesophagitis | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
Gastritis | Adenovirus type 31 (immunocompromised patients) |
Enteritis / colitis / diarrhoea | Rotaviruses (infants, nosocomial) |
Haemorrhagic enteritis / colitis | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (with immunosuppression) |
Invagination ileus | Adenovirus types 1, 2, 5 (infants) |
Proctitis | Herpes simplex virus type 2 (1) (HSV-2, -1) (in AIDS) |
Acute hepatitis / hepatomegaly | Hepatitis A virus (HAV) Yellow fever virus |
Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy and fatty liver degeneration in children) | Influenza viruses (especially after administration of ASA) |
Chronic hepatitis | Hepatitis B virus (HBV) |
Cirrhosis, primary liver cell (hepatocellular) carcinoma = hepatoma | Hepatitis B virus (HBV), chronic |
Hepatosplenomegaly | Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (in intrauterine infections) |
Pancreatitis | Mumps virus |
Destruction of islet cells, resulting in diabetes mellitus (type 1) | Mumps virus |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Prostatitis | Herpes simplex virus type 2 (1) (HSV-2) |
Benign tumours of the genital mucosa (warts, condylomas) | Molluscum contagiosum viruses |
malignant tumours of the genital mucosa (intraepithelial neoplasia) | human papillomavirus types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68 and others ("high-risk" types) |
Primary vesicular disease (later ulcerating) | Herpes simplex virus type 2, less frequently type 1 (HSV-2, -1) (genital herpes) |
Genital infection | Chlamydia trachomatis |
Orchitis / oophoritis (adnexitis) | Mumps virus (with epididymitis) |
Sexually transmitted infections without local affection (symptoms depending on pathogen and stage) | Hepatitis B virus (HBV) HTLV Ebola virus (convalescence phase!) |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Molluscum contagiosum (giganteum) | Molluscum contagiosum virus |
Papules | Orfvirus |
warts | Human papillomaviruses |
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV, precancerous condition, genetic) | Human papillomavirus types 5, 8, 9 and others |
Keratoses (carcinomas in situ!) | Human papillomavirus types 2 - 4, 41 and others |
Kaposi's sarcoma | human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8 = KSHV) |
T-cell lymphoma | HTLV-I, HTLV-II (mycosis fungoides?) |
Herpes labialis | Herpes simplex virus type 1 (2) (HSV-1) |
Genital herpes | Herpes simplex virus type 2 (1) (HSV-2) |
Eczema herpeticatum | Herpes simplex virus type 1 (2) (HSV-1) |
Vesicles forked, chambered | Vaccinia virus (laboratory staff!) |
erythematous exanthema / enanthema | Parvovirus B19 (erythema infectiosum, "gloves and socks" syndrome) |
Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (mostly in children) | Enteroviruses: type 71, Coxsackie A and B viruses |
Herpangina (mostly in children) | Enteroviruses: Coxsackie A virus types 1 - 10, 16, 22, Coxsackie B virus types 1 - 5, ECHO virus types 9, 11, 16 |
Vesicles, generalised | Varicella zoster virus (VZV) (varicella, rarely zoster generalisatus in immunocompromised patients) |
Desquamation | Measles virus (late stage) |
Seborrhoeic eczema (cutis sicca) | Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) |
Petechiae / purpura, in extreme cases ecchymoses | Dengue virus, yellow fever virus |
Jaundice | see under hepatitis |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Myocarditis | Enteroviruses: Coxsackie A and B, ECHO, polio |
Pericarditis | Enteroviruses |
Bradycardia | Filoviruses |
Congenital heart defects | Rubella virus (acquired intrauterine) |
vasculitis | Hepatitis B virus (HBV) |
Atherosclerosis (hypothetical role) | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
Hypertension | Hantaviruses (stage of oliguria) |
Hypotension | Hantaviruses (shock stage) |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Inner ear defects (hearing disorders) | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (intrauterine infection) |
Otitis media | Influenza A viruses (in children) |
Zoster oticus | Varicella zoster virus (VZV) |
Rhinitis | Rhinovirus types 1 - 102 |
Nasal and paranasal sinus carcinomas | Human papillomavirus type 57 |
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) | Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) |
Enanthema | Measles virus |
Gingivostomatitis | Herpes simplex virus type 1 (2) |
oral papillomas | Human papillomavirus types 6, 11 (in HIV-infected persons types 7, 13 and others) |
oropharyngeal carcinomas (tonsils) | human papillomavirus types 7, 11, 16, 33 |
tonsillitis | Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) |
Parotitis | Mumps virus (parotitis epidemica) |
Thyroiditis | Mumps virus |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Meningitis, meningitic irritation, meningism | Enteroviruses: Coxsackie A and B, ECHO, polio, enterovirus 71 |
Encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, encephalomyelitis (acute) | Herpes simplex virus type 1 (2) (often with organic brain seizures) |
Chronic encephalitis, encephalopathy | JC viruses (progressive multifocal |
progressive panencephalitis | Measles virus (SSPE) |
Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy and fatty liver degeneration in children) | Influenza viruses (especially after administration of ASA) |
Myelitis | TBE virus |
transverse myelitis | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
Poliomyelitis | Enteroviruses, especially poliovirus type 1, 2, 3 |
Polyradiculoneuritis (Guillain-Barré syndrome, GBS), mostly post-infectious after acute infections caused by: | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
Paresis: | Poliovirus types 1 - 3 |
Facial nerve palsy / hearing loss | Varicella zoster virus (VZV) |
Peripheral nerves | Human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Glomerulonephritis | Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (in children) |
Nephritis | Adenoviruses |
Acute renal failure, oliguria | Hantaviruses |
Persistent infection of the kidney tissue | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
Ureteral stenosis after kidney transplantation | BK virus (polyoma) |
Urethritis | Herpes simplex virus type 2 (1) (HSV-2) |
Haemorrhagic cystitis | Adenoviruses |
adrenalitis | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (in immunocompromised patients) |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Acute respiratory ("flu-like") infection | Respiratory syncytial virus |
true viral influenza | Influenza viruses A, B, rarely C |
Laryngitis (pseudocroup) | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) |
Pharyngitis | Adenoviruses types 1 - 3, 5 - 7, 14 |
Tracheitis, tracheobronchitis | Influenza A viruses (haemorrhagic) |
Bronchitis, bronchiolitis | Rhinoviruses (asthma attacks) |
Acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS) | Hantaviruses (esp. new world) |
Pneumonia, pneumonitis | Influenza A viruses (primary/secondary) |
in children | Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) |
in immunocompromised patients | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) (especially after bone marrow transplantation) |
Pleurodynia | Coxsackie B virus types 1 - 6 |
Diseases, symptoms, syndromes | Viruses (notes) |
Embryopathy, congenital malformations | Rubella virus (Gregg syndrome) |
Intrauterine damage, | Varicella zoster virus (VZV) |
Hydrops fetalis | Parvovirus B19 |
Hepatitis or hepatosplenomegaly of the newborn | Cytomegalovirus (CMV) |
Severe general infection of the newborn (septicaemic) | Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) (herpes neonatorum) |
Vertical transmission | Human immunodeficiency viruses 1, 2 (HIV-1, -2) |
Particular risk to the expectant mother (more severe course during pregnancy) | Varicella zoster virus (VZV) (pneumonia) |
