Saliva as a source of HCMV DNA in allogeneic stem cell transplantation patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of saliva for the identification of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients by real time PCR compared with blood.


METHODS
Saliva and blood samples were sampled weekly in 30 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients until 100 days after transplant. Total genomic DNA, extracted from saliva and whole-blood samples, was used for HCMV real time PCR. Nonparametric tests were performed, and P value <or=0.05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
Human cytomegalovirus DNA load in saliva showed a high correlation with viral DNA in the blood (R = 0.858; P < 0.0001). Blood DNA levels also correlated with HCMV antigenemia (R = 0.773; P < 0.0001). The HCMV levels in saliva (P = 0.015) and blood (P = 0.008) showed higher levels at the beginning of antiviral treatment, with clear reduction after this period. Saliva showed earlier HCMV reactivation than blood detected by real time PCR and antigenemia assay in 11 out of 22 subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that the real time PCR test could be useful to identify HCMV DNA in saliva and to monitor patients at risk of cytomegalovirus disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. However, further studies are necessary to confirm this data.
Correia-Silva
J F
JF
Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Bruna-Romero
O
O
Resende
R G
RG
Miranda
L P M
LP
Oliveira
F E
FE
Costa
F O
FO
Xavier
S G
SG
Figueiredo-Neves
S P
SP
Almeida
H C
HC
Bittencourt
H
H
Gomez
R S
RS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000821:virology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D019562:Viral Load; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology; D014775:Virus Activation; D055815:Young Adult
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins; C065418:cytomegalovirus matrix protein 65kDa; D015774:Ganciclovir