IN-SITU DNA HYBRIDIZATION STUDY OF PRIMARY CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) OOPHORITIS

We report the case of a 50 year old woman with metastatic breast carci noma refractory to chemotherapy who died of candidal septicemia after autologous bone marrow transplantation. Although there was no apparent active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection (negative cultures and serolog y for active infection), autopsy revealed histologic evidence of CMV i nclusions limited to both ovaries. DNA in situ hybridization was perfo rmed on multiple organs, and additional foci of infection in one fallo pian tube and the adrenal glands were detected. Previous reports of is olated CMV oophoritis may represent sampling error. An ascending route of infection is suggested. Tuboovarial changes due to CMV infection m ay occur more frequently than suspected; they are difficult to diagnos e because even actively CMV infected cells may not be detected by rout ine histology alone, and because, after the active infection 'heals', no evidence of the virus can be found on histologic examination.