Congenital cytomegalovirus infection: Laboratory methods of detection

Abstract

The most sensitive available method of detecting apparent or inapparent congenital cytomegalovirus infection is virus isolation. Approximately 1 per cent of 685 unselected newborns have been found to be virus positive. Of the various serologic methods available, the indirect immunofluorescent test for cytomegalovirus macroglobulin is the most useful. This specific IgM globulin was detected in 48 of 50 infants under one year of age with congenital cytomegalic inclusion disease. This test is less reliable in asymptomatic infants, particularly in the period immediately following birth.