Correlation between the presence of cytomegalovirus antibodies and antigen in blood leukocytes for the diagnosis of primary active infection

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infections measuring IgG or IgM antibodies has a high rate of false positive or negative results, specially in immunocompromised patients.

Aim: To compare the diagnostic yield of antibodies against cytomegalovirus with the measurement of the antigen in peripheral leukocytes.

Material and methods: Forty three blood samples coming from pediatric patients with suspected cytomegalovirus infections were analyzed. Low affinity IgG and IgM antibodies against Epstein Barr virus and cytomegalovirus, using indirect ELISA assays, and the virus antigen in peripheral leukocytes, using a commercial immunoperoxidase assay, were measured.

Results: Seven patients had positive IgM antibodies against cytomegalovirus. In five of these the viral antigen was detected in peripheral leukocytes. Twenty patients had positive antibodies against Epstein Barr virus, and in 16 patients all serologic tests were negative.

Conclusions: There is not a good correlation between antibodies against cytomegalovirus and the detection of its antigen in patients with acute infections.