Relation between pp65 antigenemia, RT-PCR and viruria for cytomegalovirus detection in kidney transplant recipients

Transplant Proc. 2005 Nov;37(9):3768-9. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2005.09.107.

Abstract

Introduction: We compared the efficiency of detection using pp65 antigenemia, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and viruria for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections after kidney transplantation.

Patients and methods: We evaluated 40 renal transplant recipients between weeks 5 and 12 after transplantation, including 179 blood and 181 urine specimens.

Results: All positive samples by antigenemia were also positive by PCR. However, in 52 cases only PCR was positive (kappa = 0.134 [P < .001]). Viruria was positive in 66 cases, but only 26 were CMV PCR positive. In 34 cases, viruria was negative and PCR positive (P = .192).

Conclusion: Detection of DNA in serum is a more sensitive method than antigenemia for the diagnosis of CMV infection. Viruria was not related to the presence of CMV in blood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Viral / blood
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / urine
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Phosphoproteins / blood*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / urine
  • Postoperative Complications / virology*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Viral Matrix Proteins / blood*

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Viral Matrix Proteins
  • cytomegalovirus matrix protein 65kDa