Rapid diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection

Several assays are in preparation for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection in acquired immune deficiency syndrome and other immunocompromised patients. In particular, ELISA and DNA probes look to be particularly promising for testing body fluids and tissue sections respectively but these assays are not currently available. The technique of detection of early fluorescent antigen foci (DEAFF) has for some time been available as a diagnostic service to immunocompromised patients served by the author's laboratory. Although it requires cell culture and immunofluorescent techniques it is capable of detecting most patients with productive infection. In particular, the rapid availability of results has allowed patients to be entered into trials of new antiviral agents.