[Cytomegalovirus infection].
By application of PCR technology, Cytomegalovirus(CMV) DNA can be detected from clinical specimens, rapidly and with high sensitivity. PCR-based assays can detect CMV DNA from blood even prior to the onset of clinical symptoms, so qualitative PCR assays are used as an indicator for preemptive therapy in transplant recipients. But it is not always helpful in CMV infection because it cannot distinguish latent from active infection, meaning lower positive predictive value for clinical disease. In recent years, quantitative PCR assays are increasingly being utilized in the clinical setting to (i) identify individuals at risk of developing CMV disease(determination of clinical threshold), (ii) monitor viral response to antiviral treatment, (iii) predict individuals at risk of clinical relapse, and (iv) serve as an early indicator of antiviral resistance.
Toyokawa
Masahiro
M
Laboratory for Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Hospital.
Nishi
Isao
I
D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral