Comparison of different techniques for detection of cytomegalovirus infection following bone marrow transplantation

A total of 317 different clinical samples obtained from patients following bone marrow transplantation and 56 blood and urine samples from seronegative control persons were screened for the presence of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) using virus culture and slot-blot hybridization. Immunohistochemical techniques using monoclonal antibodies to various viral antigens and in situ hybridization techniques were also utilised for detection of CMV in tissue samples. In cell suspensions of blood, bone marrow and effusions, and in liver biopsies, CMV DNA could be demonstrated more often by slot-blot and in situ hybridization techniques than by virus culture or immunostaining of viral antigens. For detection of CMV in lung biopsies and other clinical samples containing mainly cell-free virus, such as urine, bronchial lavage and throat washings, virus culture was found to be at least as sensitive as the hybridization techniques. Immunostaining proved to be a fast and sensitive technique for detection of CMV in tissues and may thus provide additional information about viral replication and clinical relevance of the virus infection.