[New methods for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus]

Despite remarkable progress made in the fields of antiviral therapy and virological laboratory diagnosis, infections with the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) still pose considerable problems in certain patient groups. The variety of available test methods - mostly not standardised - with their different test characteristics, sample types etc. is often confusing for the clinician. There is often great uncertainty as to whether a given laboratory result is pathognomonic. In addition, not only is the diagnostic repertoire growing constantly - for instance through genome quantification and measurement of virus-specific T lymphocytes - but also the available antiviral therapeutic options with the need for adequate surveillance. This paper gives an up-to-date overview about the available diagnostic means with their specific advantages and disadvantages. Concrete recommendations regarding a rational and comprehensive, yet economic approach to CMV diagnosis have to be targeted at the individual patient group and specific diagnostic problem; this is beyond the scope of this paper and the reader is referred to the pertinent expert groups' publications. This review article deals with general and fundamental aspects.