title: Effects of enhancing agents on detection of cytomegalovirus in clinical specimens.
abstract: Dimethyl sulfoxide, dexamethasone, and calcium were tested in combination for their enhancing effects on cytomegalovirus detection in shell vial cultures on 1,579 clinical specimens obtained primarily from adult solid-organ transplant recipients. Fluorescent-focus counts were elevated for the cytomegalovirus-positive urine specimens (P < 0.01) and throat washings (P < 0.05) but not for the tissue biopsy or blood samples. Epidermal growth factor also increased focus counts but provided no additional benefit when used in combination with the other agents. The triple-combination treatment did not increase the number of positive specimens identified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania 15213.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: St George
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rinaldo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D010614:Pharynx / Q000821:virology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014776:Virus Cultivation / Q000379:methods*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D003907:Dexamethasone; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide