Human cytomegalovirus viraemia in HIV-1-seropositive patients at various clinical stages of infection

Abstract
Eighty-two HIV-1-seropositive subjects were examined for the presence and quantification of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) by polymerase chain reaction, culture and immunofluoescence in order to investigate the relationship between viraemia and immunosuppression. Patients were divided into three groups: (1) asymptomatic subjects with >400 .times. 106/l CD4 lymphocytes (n = 30); (2) asymptomatic subjects with 50 per 2 .times. 105 cells.