title: [Detection of cytomegalovirus by real-time PCR in HIV-positive plasm].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cytomegalovirus is a betaherpesvirus responsible for persistent infections that are generally asymptomatic in healthy individuals. In the absence of an effective immune response, as in neonates, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, individuals with AIDS, etc., cytomegalovirus may cause severe disease. Early detection of this virus would prevent serious health consequences in immunocompromised patients; it is important to employ sensitive methods and accurate detection to support treatment-related decision making. Real-time molecular methods, such as the polymerase chain reaction, possess higher sensitivity to detect positive samples.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared the sensitivity and specificity of the following detection methods: the endpoint PCR trade-validated method (Pol, viral gene target) and real-time PCR, which detects viral genes Pol (early gene), and pp65 (late gene). We performed a cross-sectional study of 43 human immunodeficiency virus-positive samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The molecular detection methods in real-time detected a greater number of cytomegalovirus-positive samples than those at the endpoint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There must be at least two independent cytomegalovirus target-genes in order to make the detection by real-time PCR.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Distrito Federal, México. mertachiquin@yahoo.com.mx.
authors.forename: Martha Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Tachiquín
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gómez-Delgado
authors.forename: Hilda Alicia
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Valdez-Salazar
authors.forename: Penélope
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aguilera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D060085:Coinfection / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral
keywords: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Cytomegalovirus; HIV; Polymerase chain reaction; Viral load