Pp65 antigenemia, plasma real-time PCR and DBS test in symptomatic and asymptomatic cytomegalovirus congenitally infected newborns.

Background: Many congenitally cytomegalovirus-infected (cCMV) neonates are at risk for severe consequences, even if they are asymptomatic at birth. The assessment of the viral load in neonatal blood could help in identifying the babies at risk of sequelae.

Methods: In the present study, we elaborated the results obtained on blood samples collected in the first two weeks of life from 22 symptomatic and 48 asymptomatic newborns with cCMV diagnosed through urine testing.

Modification of CMV DNA detection from dried blood spots for diagnosing congenital CMV infection.

Background: Detection of viral DNA in dried blood spots using the Guthrie card (DBS test) is a reliable and practical method of diagnosing congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The test lends itself to epidemiological studies to establish the prevalence of the infection, but also to neonatal screening for secondary prevention of sequelae. These applications would be facilitated if it were possible to use smaller samples and do the test on pools of individual cases.

Prevalence of anti-poliovirus type 1, 2 and 3 antibodies in unvaccinated Italian travelers.

Background: Immunization against poliomyelitis is recommended for international travelers to developing countries. However, the level of antibodies varies even in previously unvaccinated persons, due to wild-type or vaccine-type infections in the eldest travelers.

Methods: In 1999, we conducted a seroprevalence study in the Lombardy region (northern Italy), using sera collected in 1994 from a population aged 50 to 59 years.