Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) late-mRNA detection in peripheral blood of AIDS patients: diagnostic value for HCMV disease compared with those of viral culture and HCMV DNA detection.
A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect a human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) late mRNA in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) of 102 human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. The clinical value of this new technique for the diagnosis of acute HCMV disease was evaluated in comparison with viral culture and direct amplification of viral DNA (PCR). The sensitivity of the RT-PCR was slightly lower than that of the two other methods, but its specificity was 94%, compared to 55 and 32% for culture and PCR, respectively. Transcription of this late mRNA is linked to viral replication, and its detection in PBL confirms that these cells can support a complete viral cycle. The relationship between complete replicative cycles and HCMV disease makes RT-PCR a useful clinical tool.
Service de Bactériologie-Virologie, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
J
J
Gozlan
J M
JM
Salord
C
C
Chouaïd
C
C
Duvivier
O
O
Picard
M C
MC
Meyohas
J C
JC
Petit
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014766:Viremia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D014776:Virus Cultivation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012367:RNA, Viral