Blood test screens for many viruses simultaneously

“In this paper alone, we identified more antibody/peptide interactions to viral proteins than had been identified in the previous history of all viral exploration,” Dr Elledge said.

The reproducibility of those interactions allowed the scientists to refine their analysis and improve the sensitivity of VirScan, Dr Elledge said, adding that the method will continue to improve as his team analyzes more samples.

The investigators also noted that their work is not limited to antiviral antibodies. They are now using it to look for antibodies that attack the body’s tissue in autoimmune diseases associated with cancers. A similar approach could be used to screen for antibodies against other types of pathogens as well.