Who you gonna call? Bug-busters

By ESTELLE SARNEY

Since severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) reared its head as a new and dangerous virus spreading around the world, a rarely-seen group of medical detectives has swung into action.

They are virologists, whose meticulous work in laboratories is key in diagnosing new cases and helping doctors find treatments.

Dr Lance Jennings is virologist to the Canterbury District Health Board, and chairman of the National Pandemic Planning Committee, advising the Ministry of Health on how to prepare for the inevitable.

On his committee's advice, New Zealand's border controls and hospitals are readying themselves for Sars entry here.

Virologists helped discover the virus which causes Sars, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. Jennings says this largely unheralded group of scientists is also responsible for many other major viral discoveries in recent decades.

In 1973 the rotavirus - now considered the most important childhood gastroenteritis virus - was identified. In the early 80s HIV, the virus that can lead to AIDS, was discovered, in the late 80s hepatitis C, and in the 90s a number of viruses which crossed from animals into humans.

Jennings says he is constantly learning something new. "New bugs are always emerging, such as Sars, that we have to help find ways of diagnosing and treating. The technology we use is constantly developing too."

The more he learns about the diseases viruses cause, how they are transmitted and how they can be diagnosed using state-of-the-art technology, the more fascinated he becomes.

"Every sample we test and every result we generate is for the benefit of specific patients. We might be surrounded by equipment and a sterile environment, but in the end our job is about helping people."

Virologists also work with doctors and scientists in developing antiviral medicines, monitoring patients' response to them and detecting viral resistance to treatments.

Through such co-operation came the various treatments for HIV patients, the Interferon drug for hepatitis C sufferers, and antivirals to fight herpes virus infections.

Those working in virology fall into two groups - medical laboratory scientists, also called technologists, and laboratory technicians.

To become a technologist you complete the four-year bachelor of medical laboratory science degree at the Auckland University of Technology, Massey University or the University of Otago.

This comprises three years' study of subjects such as microbiology, biochemistry and immunology, followed by one year of practical experience in one of the larger diagnostic laboratories attached to hospitals in Auckland, Hamilton or Christchurch. A further six months laboratory experience is required to gain registration.

For those wanting a less academic route, you can become a laboratory technician by undertaking on-the-job training overseen by the Institute of Medical Laboratory Science. After two years the technologists you have been assisting give a practical exam.

Jennings says technologists start earning about $35,000, and work up to about $60,000. Technicians start out on $20,000, working up to about $36,000.

On a routine day, a technologist is responsible for receiving samples from hospital patients, correctly logging them into a computer, interpreting the clinicians' requests and deciding what testing is required.

Tests are performed and the results then communicated back to clinicians. Surrounded by microscopes, biohazard safety cabinets and other technical equipment, virologists' diagnostic techniques include:

* Direct detection of bits of a virus, in, say, respiratory secretions.

* Culture of the virus in a range of animal cells to see how it grows.

* The detection of viral nucleic acids in patient samples.

* Looking for the footprints of the virus in patients' blood samples.

Technicians support technologists by preparing samples, setting up tests, entering results into the computer and maintaining stocks of laboratory supplies.

They may end up performing many of the tests technologists do, but usually remain under technologists' supervision.