Detection of human cytomegalovirus DNA in various blood components after liver transplantation

The quantification of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV DNA) by real-time PCR is currentlya primary option for laboratory diagnosis of HCMV infection. However, the optimalsample material remains controversial due to the use of different PCR assays. Toexplore the best blood component for HCMV DNA surveillance after livertransplantation, whole blood (WB), serum (SE), and plasma (PL) specimens werecollected simultaneously from targeted patients and examined for HCMV DNA using onecommercially available assay. The HCMV DNA-positive rate with WB (16.67%) was higherthan that with either SE or PL (8.33%, both P<0.01). Quantitative DNA levels in WBwere of greater magnitude than those in SE (WB-SE mean log-transformed difference,0.99; 95%CI=0.74-1.25; P<0.0001) and PL (WB-PL mean log-transformed difference,1.37; 95%CI=1.07-1.66; P<0.0001). Dynamic monitoring revealed that HCMV DNA in WBwas positive sooner and had higher values for a longer period of time during therapy.With earlier positive detection, higher sensitivity, and yield of greater viralloads, WB compared favorably to SE or PL and hence is recommended as the superiormaterial for HCMV DNA surveillance after liver transplantation. In addition, infantrecipients require more intensive monitoring and prophylactic care because of theirhigher susceptibility to primary HCMV infection.