Significance of qualitative polymerase chain reaction combined with quantitation of viral load in the diagnosis and follow-up of cytomegalovirus infection after solid-organ transplantation

Quantitative PCR was evaluated in the monitoring of patients with ongoing p osttransplantation cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and antiviral therapy, c ompared to leukoDNAemia and serology. From January 1998 until May 1999, 61 patients were followed up weekly during 3 months after transplantation by a qualitative PCR. The quantitative PCR was performed on plasma samples from 21 selected patients, of whom 12 had a primary infection and 9 a reactivat ion or reinfection. Analysis of the viral load differences showed that the viral loads in patients with a primary infection were significantly higher than viral loads in patients with a reactivation (p < 0.01), Based on the r esults of our study, we can state that qualitative PCR is a good marker for initiating preemptive therapy. In addition, viral quantitation is clinical ly useful for accurate diagnosis of established CMV disease, and monitoring of antiviral therapy. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.