EFFECTIVE AUGUST 4, 2008

THE MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF

CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) REAL TIME POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) QUANTITATIVE VIRAL LOAD ASSAY

FOR THE QUANTIFICATION OF CMV IN WHOLE BLOOD SPECIMENS

Testing will be performed using Real Time PCR Technology, replacing the PCR assay currently sent to an outside reference laboratory for testing.  Bringing the testing in-house will significantly improve turnaround time.

DYNAMIC RANGE OF QUANTITATION: 1,000 – 2,500,000 CMV copies/mL. 

INCREASED SENSITIVITY: Real time PCR for CMV-DNA provides superior sensitivity and reproducibility when compared with pp65-antigenemia.1 Whole blood PCR is also superior to plasma testing since the CMV virus is found within the white blood cells.

CORRELATION: In comparison studies, result correlation was excellent.

SPECIMEN COLLECTION FLEXIBILITY: Specimens for this assay can be collected at any time.  The strict transport time requirements of the Antigenemia assay are not necessary.  (Antigenemia testing must be performed within 8 hours from specimen collection.  With our new assay, specimens should be tested within 4 days from specimen collection, or can be frozen indefinitely).

REPORTING:  Results will be reported in copies/mL.

SPECIMEN COLLECTION:

• Collect blood into one EDTA Lavender-top Tube.  DO NOT CENTRIFUGE TUBE.
• Transport uncentrifuged tube (WHOLE BLOOD) to the laboratory at room temperature or refrigerated within 4 days.

ORDERING : 

• Test name:  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Nucleic Acid Amplified Test Quantitative
• Test Code:   6650018
• Mnemonic:CMV NAATQT

• Allice, T., Cerutti, F., Pittaluga, F., Varetto, S., Franchello, A., Salizzoni, M., Ghisetti, V.  2008.  Evaluation of a novel real-time PCR system for cytomegalovirus DNA quantitation on whole blood and correlation with pp65-antigen test in guiding pre-emptive antiviral treatment.  J. Virol. Methods. 148(1-2): 9-16.