Rapid detection of cytomegalovirus in bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from marrow transplant patients: evaluation of a direct fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibody reagent.
An FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibody reagent containing three CMV-specific monoclonal antibodies was evaluated for the rapid detection of CMV in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytospin preparations by direct IF (DFA). Eighty-six BAL samples from 72 marrow transplant patients were inoculated into both centrifugation and standard cell culture. CMV was detected in 49/86 (57%) BAL samples. DFA detected 37/46 (80%) samples which were positive in centrifugation culture. While DFA staining lacked the sensitivity (overall sensitivity 38/49, 78%) to replace either standard or centrifugation culture, the total laboratory time needed to complete the DFA was only 1.5 h and its concurrent use with centrifugation culture can provide rapid specific diagnosis of CMV pneumonia.
Gleaves
C A
CA
Diagnostic Virology Laboratory, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98104.
Meyers
J D
JD
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005452:Fluoresceins