Comparative analysis of a double primer PCR assay with plasma, leukocytes and antigenemia for diagnosis of active human cytomegalovirus infection in bone marrow transplant patients

The aim of the study was to determine the prognostic value of a double primer PCR assay to detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection or disease in bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients. A total of 209 blood samples including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMN), polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and plasma from 26 BMT recipients were tested by PCR assay. To discriminate between latent and active HCMV infection, 177 blood samples were also tested by a quantitative antigenemia assay. HCMV serology status of donors and recipients was determined before transplantation by an enzyme immunosorbent assay method. Using the double primer PCR assay, the number of positive samples increased by an average of 11.6%. Symptomatic active HCMV infection was diagnosed in 14 (53.8%) out of 26 BMT patients. There was a good association between double primer PCR assay of PMN leukocytes and antigenemia assays for detection of active HCMV infection in all patients. Detection of HCMV DNA in PMN leukocytes of BMT patients by double primer PCR assay can be an alternative method for antigenemia assay. However, quantitative PCR methods will be necessary for monitoring antiviral treatment.