Titration of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in urine by combined use of PCR and microplate hybridization in a renal transplant patient with HCMV pneumonitis.
We titrated human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in urine specimens obtained from 14 healthy individuals and a renal transplant patient with HCMV pneumonitis by modifying the method for titration of varicella-zoster virus DNA previously described (1,2). Of 14 HCMV seropositive healthy individuals, 13 had HCMV DNA under the detection limit of 10(2.0) copies/ml, whereas one person had 10(2.0) copies/ml. The viral DNA in urine samples was at a low level in healthy individuals with latent infection. In a case with HCMV pneumonitis after renal transplantation, the amount of HCMV DNA in urine gradually increased from the level under 10(2.0) copies/ml and reached a peak of 10(4.7) copies/ml one month prior to the manifestation of pneumonitis. It, thereafter, decreased with the course of clinical remission, and finally settled at under 10(2.0) copies/ml. Serial titrations of HCMV DNA in urine specimens proved to be useful in identifying recipients at risk of developing active HCMV infection after renal transplantation and as a guide for treatment of patients.
Meigata
K
K
Department of Surgery and Organ Transplantation, University of Tokyo.
Hondo
R
R
Fujima
A
A
Shinkai-Shibata
M
M
Itoh
S
S
Kikuchi
K
K
Ando
Y
Y
Ichikawa
N
N
Nomura
Y
Y
Watanabe
K
K
Degawa
H
H
Beck
Y
Y
Tomikawa
S
S
Nagao
T
T
Uchida
H
H
D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral