Cytomegalovirus infection laboratory findings

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aravind Kuchkuntla, M.B.B.S[2]

Laboratory Findings

The following laboratory investigations are useful for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection:

Serological Tests

• Serological tests are not useful for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection, however absence of CMV IgG excludes the presence of infection.

Polymerase Chain Reaction

• In patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis CMV DNA is detected in the vitreous in majority of patients.
• PCR for demonstration of CMV DNA is useful for the diagnosis of retinitis and neurologic disease.
• PCR of blood for demonstration of viremia is not useful for diagnosis of cytomegalovirus end organ disease as a negative result is not consistent with the absence of disease.

Microscopic Pathology

• Demonstration of characteristic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the biopsy from esophagus and colon confirms the diagnosis of esophagitis and colitis.

CT Scan

• In patients with cytomegalovirus ventriculoencephalitis periventricular enhancement is suggestive of CMV infection.
• Colonic thickening can be demonstrated in patients with cytomegalovirus colitis.