Specific IgE detected by ELISA and immunoblot after human cytomegalovirus infection (HCMV) in renal transplant (RT) recipients.

Background: Specific HCMV IgE response has been reported by some authors, and was proposed as a valuable virologic marker of CMV infection.

Objectives: we evaluated specific HCMV IgE in renal transplant patients with active (primary and secondary) HCMV infection with special interest to symptomatic infections.

Study Design: Specific IgE was tested retrospectively by ELISA and immunoblot (IB) on sera of 55 RT patients who were followed before and after transplantation with virologic markers of CMV infection.

Requirements for diagnosis of prenatal cytomegalovirus infection by amniotic fluid culture.

Background: Amniotic fluid culture is considered to be the best method for the detection of antenatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and prediction of congenital CMV infection. Recently, however, some false-negative results have been reported.

Objectives: Prediction of congenital CMV infection by amniotic fluid culture with emphasis on false-negative results.

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal cytomegalovirus infection.

A prospective study (1988 to 1990) to evaluate the risk of fetal cytomegalovirus transmission was conducted with 1771 pregnant women; the test results of 861 were seronegative (48.6%). At each prenatal visit they were tested for serologic data and cytomegalovirus excretion in urine, saliva, and cervical secretions.