title: Comparing serology, antigenemia assay and polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplant patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality following renal transplantation. Currently serology is the only method widely available in our country. Newer methods like early CMV pp65 antigenemia assay and CMV DNA amplification can diagnose CMV disease in its very early period.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to compare serologic method with antigenemia assay and CMV DNA amplification to diagnose CMV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three renal transplant recipients (from 7 centres) with clinical suspicion of CMV disease were studied prospectively. The diagnosis of CMV infection was suspected on the basis of fever and leucopenia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three tests were done in all 73 patients and in 22 healthy subjects (control group). The sensitivity and specificity of serological test (CMV IgM) was 72.97 and 62.06%; of antigenemia assay was 89.18 and 100% and of PCR was 100 and 72.41%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antigenemia assay is a sensitive and specific test for early and rapid diagnosis of CMV infection. Qualitative PCR is a sensitive marker but has low specificity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mahim, Mumbai - 400 016. India.
authors.forename: Jigna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Ajita P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Minal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deshmukh
authors.forename: Rasika A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sirsat
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012698:Serologic Tests
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral