DETERMINATION OF CMV PLACENTITIS - DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATION OF THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection constitutes an important cause of intr auterine death. In the present study CMV infection of placentas result ing from intrauterine deaths was assessed by immunohistochemistry and by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among 32 cases of chronic vill itis examined, 7 were found by PCR to be associated with CMV infection , although light microscopic examination revealed only 3 of them, whil e 4 had shown positive immunohistochemical staining. In conclusion, CM V may be considered to be a relatively common cause of placentitis, an d PCR is a helpful tool in confirming the nature of the disease.