Comparison of Real-time PCR versus ELISA in the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women

Abstract

Background: Cytomegalovirus infections are endemic worldwide. The most frequently used methods for detecting antibodies in developing world are the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The polymerase chain reaction is a molecular biology technique in which the production of large amounts of specific deoxyribonucleic acid fragments is induced from very low concentrations of complex substrates allowing the detection of very low amounts of viral particles. Objectives: To assess the accuracy of ELISA tests in comparison with the polymerase chain reaction in maternal blood to diagnose cytomegalovirus infection. Study design: 300 blood samples were prospectively tested for CMV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies by using ELISA and for CMV DNA using real time PCR. Result: CMV IgG and IgM were present in 274(91.3) and 17(5.7%) sample respectively. However, CMV DNA was detected in 89(29.7%) sample. A total of 84 tested samples exhibited both IgG by ELISA and DNA by Real-time PCR. Likewise, IgM was detectable by ELISA from 10 subjects with DNA concomitantly demonstrable by Real-time PCR Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the real time polymerase chain reaction test is more accurate than serological ELISA test in the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women.