June 1, 2003
SickKids researchers identify possible SARS diagnostic test
Researchers in Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg, including the laboratory of SickKids' Dr. Raymond Tellier, published a landmark study on severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Canada in The New England Journal of Medicine on Monday night. The full article was published online in early release.
"We have an independent line of evidence confirming what has been found in Hong Kong, Germany, Winnipeg, and at the Centers for Disease Control that a new coronavirus is implicated in SARS," says Tellier, director of Molecular Microbiology at HSC and an associate scientist in Metabolism Research.
This coronavirus is different genetically from other known coronavirus, including two species that cause prevalent respiratory illnesses such as the common cold. Tellier has developed a diagnostic test that is potentially useful to rule in a diagnosis of SARS in symptomatic patients. The test is a PCR, which amplifies a segment of the genetic material of the SARS virus.
"We are making this protocol available to other centres to help aid in fighting this SARS outbreak," says Tellier. "As scientists, we need to continue to work on developing possible diagnostics for SARS, including investigating the role of other viral agents, such as the human metapneumovirus."
Public Affairs
The Hospital for Sick Children