Cytomegalovirus Quantitation by Real-Time PCR Is Unaffected by Delayed Separation of Plasma from Whole Blood

Abstract
A previous study suggested that delayed sample preparation can cause a false-positive plasma cytomegalovirus (CMV) PCR. We evaluated 78 samples submitted for CMV testing, and we report that a 24-h delay in plasma separation did not affect viral quantitation by real-time PCR. Laboratories should evaluate specimen handling requirements for their own PCR technology.