High Variability between Results of Different In-House Tests for Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Monitoring and a Standardized Quantitative Plasma CMV PCR Assay

Abstract

A total of 2,718 blood samples were analyzed in five virological laboratories for the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) by in-house tests and one standardized plasma PCR assay. Results from in-house tests showed remarkable variability. Detection of CMV pp65 antigen or DNA from cells was more sensitive than that by plasma CMV PCR assay.