The role of the cytomegalovirus antigenemia assay in the detection and prevention of cytomegalovirus syndrome and disease in solid organ transplant recipients: A review of the British Columbia experience.

Background: The pp65 cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia assay has been used as a means of guiding the pre-emptive therapy of CMV disease in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Recently, concerns have been raised regarding the utility of the test to accurately and precisely detect viral activity early enough to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with CMV OBJECTIVE: To determine the performance characteristics of the method of antigenemia testing of SOT recipients used at Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Methods: All SOT recipients between January 1, 1999, and June 30, 2000, were retrospectively reviewed for six months following transplantation.