Nucleic acid amplification assay for the detection and quantification of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA extracted from whole blood.
The assay used detects a specific target in the exon 4 region of the CMV MIEA gene (major immediate early antigen.)
Diagnosis / Monitoring of CMV infection in immunocompromised / transplant patients
CMV is a double stranded DNA virus of the Herpesvirus family; it is a common infection (seroprevalence indicates 50-60% of adults in the UK have been infected.) CMV infection is typically unnoticed in healthy people, but can be life threatening for immunocompromised or immunosuppressed patients, such as organ transplant recipients.
Whole blood (collected in EDTA)
EDTA (pink top) 5ml
Please state type of immunosuppression in the clinical details e.g. transplant patient
Please contact the laboratory to discuss any urgent requests.
Local test
5 days
CMV viral loads will be reported in IU/ml and where appropriate a log will be given.
Lower limit of detection 109 IU/ml
Lower limit of quantification 178 IU/ml
(Please note, we no longer report copies/mL – 1 IU/mL equals approximately 1.4 copies/mL)
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) – Lab Tests Online UK
Cytomegalovirus – Patient.info
Specimen Labelling Procedure
9018
