Cytomegalovirus (CMV) PCR (Qualitative) - amniotic fluid specimen
- LIS Mnemonic: CMVPCR
Collect
amniotic fluid
Volume Required
1 ml
Minimum Required
0.5 ml
Transport
Keep specimen at 4C
Processing
Amniotic fluid sampling should be done after 21-23 weeks gestation for best sensitivity. If an extended delay in transport of specimens is anticipated, rapidly freeze the specimens to at least -60°C and transport to the laboratory on dry ice. Please consult the laboratory if necessary.
Days Performed
Daily
Reported
Same day
Reflex Testing
N/A
CPT
87496
Methodology
Amplification and detection of CMV DNA polymerase gene using TaqMan real-time PCR technology. This test is performed pursuant to an agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
Interpretation
If positive, results are reported as cytomegalovirus DNA detected.
Reference Values
Negative or no cytomegalovirus DNA detected
Remarks
Clinical Utility: CMV infections are common and usually asymptomatic in otherwise healthy children and adults; however, the incidence and spectrum of disease in newborns and in immunocompromised hosts establish this virus as an important human pathogen. CMV is the most common identified cause of congenital infection. Possible manifestations range from severe disease with any combination of intrauterine growth retardation, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae, thrombocytopenic purpura, myocarditis, pneumonitis, central nervous system abnormalities, and chorioretinitis to more limited involvement. In high-risk premature newborns infected as a result of blood transfusions, morbidity and mortality can be significant and hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, atypical lymphocytosis, and hemolytic anemia have been described. The detection of CMV DNA from urine, respiratory secretions, blood, stool, CSF or other body fluids within the first 3 weeks of life is the traditional means of confirming the diagnosis of congenital CMV infection in newborns. Urine is the preferred specimen because it contains greater amounts of virus that can be readily detected by PCR. PLEASE NOTE: When attempting to make a diagnosis of congenital CMV infection, infants not previously tested but found to be excreting virus after 3 weeks of age may have either congenital or acquired infection. Detection of CMV DNA from maternal blood leukocytes and from amniotic fluid and fetal tissue by PCR may provide useful information for prenatal diagnosis of congenital CMV infection. While such prenatal testing is a sensitive indicator of maternal or fetal CMV infection, positive results do not predict which infants will have disease.
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