Comparison of two commercial quantitative PCR assays for EBV DNA detection and their correlation with the first WHO International Standard for EBV.

Purpose: There are few data on the performance of automated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) PCR assays. This study compared EBV quantification for the kPCR PLX EBV DNA (kPCR; Siemens, France) and the EBV R-gene (R-gene; Argene, Biomerieux, France) assays and their correlation with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard.

Methodology: WHO International Standard for EBV (WHO standard) dilution panels in different matrices were submitted to nucleic acid extraction with Versant kPCR Molecular Systems SP followed by the kPCR assay, or to nucleic acid extraction with the MagNA Pure LC System or NucliSENS easyMag followed by the R-gene assay.

Comparison of two commercial quantitative PCR assays and correlation with the first WHO International Standard for human CMV.

Comparability between CMV assays could be facilitated by the first WHO International Standard for human CMV (standard). Standard dilutions were submitted to nucleic acid extraction with Versant kPCR Molecular systems SP or MagNA Pure LC System followed by the kPCR PLX™ CMV DNA (kPCR) or the CMV R-gene™ assay (R-gene), respectively; 139 clinical specimens were tested. Both assays correlated well with the standard (R > 0.