COMPARISON OF COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE ANTIBODY REAGENTS FOR THE CYTOMEGALOVIRUS PP65 ANTIGENEMIA ASSAY

Background: The Argene Biosoft 1C3 and the Biotest C10,C11 monoclonal antibodies are two of the most commonly used commercially available an tibody reagents for the cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 antigenemia assay. Objectives: The sensitivities of these two reagents were compared in p eripheral blood specimens received for CMV antigenemia testing. Study design: A total of 1149 peripheral blood specimens were processed for CMV antigenemia testing. Duplicate slides were stained with the Biosof t 1C3 and Biotest C10,C11 monoclonal antibodies. Results: A total of 1 58 specimens gave a positive result by one or both antibodies. One hun dred and forty five were positive by the Biosoft antibody and 130 were positive by the Biotest antibody. Positive cell counts were significa ntly higher on cell preparations stained by the Biosoft antibody (Wilc oxon signed rank, P<0.001) and the Biosoft antibody detected twice as many low-level positive specimens as the Biotest. Conclusions: The Bio soft antibody reagent was superior to the Biotest reagent for the dete ction of CMV antigenemia. This is an important factor since early dete ction is essential for appropriate initiation of preemptive antiviral therapy, particularly in transplant recipients at high risk of CMV dis ease. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.