The expression of hepatitis-C virus antigen by immunohistochemical stain and polymerase chain reaction in corneas of seropositive corneal donors.

Background: Of the donor corneas rejected for transplantation, the largest group is that from donors testing seropositive for hepatitis C virus (HCV). In situations of severe shortage in supply of donor corneal tissue, we may consider the use of seropositive donors for transplantation if we can prove with high certainty the absence of HCV RNA in the donor corneal tissue. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a highly sensitive and specific technique for direct detection of HCV RNA and can be used for this purpose.

Insight into the intrinsic sensitivity of the PCR assay used to detect CMV infection in amniotic fluid specimens.

Background: PCR detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA in amniotic fluid (AF) is the most sensitive tool for diagnosis of fetal infection, but has sub-optimal sensitivity. It has been suggested that inhibition by AF reduces the sensitivity of this assay, however this assumption has never been thoroughly studied. Several PCR assays have been shown to improve sensitivity, but comparative studies are insufficient to choose the optimal approach.

Emergence of late cytomegalovirus central nervous system disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Preemptive ganciclovir therapy has reduced the occurrence of early cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. However, late disease is increasingly reported. We describe 2 patients who developed late CMV central nervous system (CNS) disease after haploidentical HSC transplantation.