Virology

Virology is a rapidly expanding field of medicine, and Virology Department in AFIP plays a very vital role in assisting physicians about the diagnosis of viral infections. This department provides specialized tertiary care diagnostic facilities in the field of Medical Virology to both Armed Forces personnel and civilians. We have a wide variety of serological, immunofluorescence and PCR-based tests. Serology section includes important parameters like hepatitis screening, complete Hepatitis B Virus serology, and extensive panel for investigation of perinatal viral infections and infections in transplant recipients. Automation in serological assays has improved quality of tests and has also reduced the turn-around time. Real-time PCR test, which is an extremely important method for arriving at a diagnosis earlier than the conventional methods, is available for detection of multiple viral infections. Immunofluorescence-based tests are available as an aid for the diagnosis of respiratory viruses infections.
Virology Department in AFIP was the first, and for a long time the only department, recognized for FCPS training in Virology, by College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSP), in Pakistan. Other than the postgraduate training, the department also imparts training to laboratory technologists, including diploma/ FSc / BSc in Lab technology.