ABSTRACT
Light microscopic examination of histologic sections and cytologic preparations occupies an unusual place in the viral diagnostic armamentarium. As a tool for detecting and identifying viruses, conventional light microscopy is inferior in both the sensitivity and specificity to a number of other methods, including immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and molecular diagnostic methods such as the polymerase chain reaction. Balanced against this deficiency, however, are several advantages.
