Simultaneous detection and quantitation of cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and adenovirus by use of real-time PCR and pooled standards

J Clin Microbiol. 2009 Mar;47(3):765-70. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01721-08. Epub 2009 Jan 14.

Abstract

Quantitative real-time PCR has become the most widely used preemptive approach for managing cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and adenovirus infections in immunosuppressed patients. These three assays are normally available as separate tests, each using five quantitation standards that are tested in duplicate. We have developed an adenovirus-CMV-EBV triplex assay that uses one set of five pooled quantitative standards, tested singly rather than in duplicate. This test demonstrated a sensitivity and an accuracy of quantitation equivalent to those of our previous single tests and was shown to be able to detect mixed infections with no loss in sensitivity. This assay is now in routine use in our laboratory and has considerably simplified the work flow of the laboratory, with a resultant improvement in sample turnaround time and significantly reduced costs.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenoviridae / genetics
  • Adenoviridae / isolation & purification*
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • DNA Primers / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / standards*
  • Reference Standards
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • DNA Primers