Cellular Localization of CMV Infection by Simultaneous Immunohistochemical Staining and DNA Hybridization

Abstract

A method for confirming cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of endothelial cells is described. Endothelial cell cultures infected with CMV strain AD169 and CMV-infected tissue samples were stained for CMV DNA and factor VIII antigen using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Results ob­ tained were blue cytoplasmic staining for factor VIII and red nuclear DNA staining. We were able to directly observe CMV infection of the endothelium. Modification of this technique to allow the use of other antigens and DNA probes will allow important observations of nucleic acid production and antigen expression.