Recent advances in laboratory diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus infection

Abstract

Laboratory methods for the diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV or CMV) infections are evolving. IgG avidity testing is now a useful serodiagnostic test to differentiate a new infection from a reactivation. Culture assays have limited utility especially in immunocompromised patients, but they are still useful to diagnose congenital CMV infection. Quantitative culture methods have been used to predict disease or follow a patient's response to therapy. Currently the gold standard quantitative assay is the antigenemia assay for the detection of the HCMV pp65 antigen in leukocytes. Flow cytometry has been applied to the antigenemia assay to make it automated and less subjective. Commercially available molecular methods include assays for hybridization of an RNA probe with signal amplification, amplification of CMV DNA, and amplification of CMV RNA. Quantitative amplification techniques will soon become the standard methods for the diagnosis and monitoring of CMV infection.