RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS ENCEPHALITIS IN PATIENTS WITH AIDSUSING IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION

Aims-To evaluate the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in the cere brospinal fluid of patients with AIDS and suspected viral encephalitis using an in situ hybridisation assay with digoxigenin labelled CMV DN A probes. Methods-The presence of CMV DNA was evaluated in cerebrospin al fluid cells of 10 patients with AIDS using in situ hybridisation. T he positivity of CMV DNA was confirmed by the presence of CMV induced antigens in the same specimens. The presence of CMV DNA and CMV induce d antigens was also analysed in peripheral blood leucocytes. The time required to perform the in situ hybridisation assay was about eight ho urs. Results-The in situ hybridisation assay was sensitive, specific, and provided good resolution. Six patients proved positive for the pre sence of CMV DNA in CSF cells and all six also proved positive for CMV DNA in blood leucocytes. Of the six CMV positive patients, five were treated with specific antiviral drugs: of these, one died during the t reatment while four clinically recovered after one month of treatment. Conclusions-The in situ hybridisation assay using digoxigenin labelle d CMV DNA probes can be used as a valuable diagnostic test for the det ection of CMV DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid cells of patients with su spected CMV encephalitis and can therefore prompt adequate antiviral t herapeutic intervention.