Detection of human cytomegalovirus in peripheral mononuclear cells and urine samples using PCR

Samples of peripheral blood lymphocytes from 105 different blood donors were investigated for the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers specific for the Pst I w fragment (IE region). Viral DNA sequences were detected in 53 samples, a fifth of which had been previously serotyped as HCMV negative. In the latter cases, Western blot analysis re-determined two out of three individuals that were resampled as seropositive. PCR could therefore be used to extend existing methods employed for the identification of HCMV infected blood samples prior to transfusion to individuals in high risk groups. In addition, the value of PCR as a diagnostic test was evaluated in a small pilot study by comparing the results obtained with urine samples from babies suffering congenital infection and from other high risk patients, with data obtained by isolation of infectious virus or through the detection of immediate early antigens in infected cultures. Data from this study indicated that PCR is at least as sensitive as the other methods used in HCMV diagnosis.