Article

Cytomegalovirus infection in organ-transplant recipients: Diagnostic value of PP65 antigen test, qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative taqman PCR

Details

Citation

Meyer-Koenig U, Weidmann M, Kirste G, Kirste G & Hufert FT (2004) Cytomegalovirus infection in organ-transplant recipients: Diagnostic value of PP65 antigen test, qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative taqman PCR. Transplantation, 77 (11), pp. 1692-1698. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.tp.0000133992.89191.52

Abstract
Background. The human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant patients. In this study, we compared the diagnostic value of pp65 antigen test, qualitative nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and quantitative Taqman PCR in predicting the clinical outcome of CMV infection. Methods. A total of 169 samples derived from 59 organ-transplant recipients (kidney n= 46, liver n= 11, kidney and pancreas n= 2) were analyzed. Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were isolated using dextran gradient centrifugation, and 2×105 cells were analyzed for pp65 antigen by immunofluorescence. A crude DNA extract obtained from the same number of cells was used for qualitative nested PCR and quantitative Taqman PCR analysis. Results. The correlation coefficient of pp65 antigen test and Taqman PCR was R= 0.699 (P = 0.001). With cut-off values for pp65 antigen test set at greater than 10 positive nuclei per 2×105 PBL, sensitivity was 91%, and positive predictive value (PPV) was 70%. When the corresponding cut-off value for Taqman PCR was applied (>125,000 genome copies per 2×105 PBL), a sensitivity of 83% and a PPV of 68% were found. Both assays allowed for the monitoring of successful antiviral therapy. Although qualitative nested PCR was highly sensitive (95%), it was less useful in predicting CMV disease (PPV 47%) and in therapy control. Conclusion. Our data show that pp65 antigen test and Taqman PCR are almost equivalent in the monitoring of CMV infection and disease when identical cell numbers are used for both assays.

Journal
Transplantation: Volume 77, Issue 11

StatusPublished
Publication date15/06/2004
PublisherLippincott, Williams, and Wilkins for Transplantation Society
ISSN0041-1337