Quantitation of cytomegalovirus in the blood of liver transplant recipients

Abstract

An assay for quantitation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been developed. The assay combines DNA amplification and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detection. In this study, the assay has been used to examine sequential buffycoats from 32 consecutive liver transplant recipients. In a febrile patient, CMV titres in excess of 104 copies per 150,000 cells strongly suggest a diagnosis of symptomatic CMV infection. Antiviral therapy causes a rapid decline in viral titre. Viral titres are seen to rise presymptomatically in some patients. Median peak viral titres differ significantly between symptomatic patients (1.1 × 105), asymptomatic CMV IgM‐positive patients (1.7 × 103), and asymptomatic CMV immunoglobulin (Ig)M‐negative patients (2.9 × 102). CMV quantitation can be used for diagnosis and surveillance and can also be used to monitor antiviral treatment. Copyright © 1995 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases