Human Cytomegalovirus Immediate‐Early Messenger RNA in Blood of Pregnant Women with Primary Infection and of Congenitally Infected Newborns

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Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) immediate-early messenger RNA (IEmRNA) in sequential blood samples from 32 pregnant women with primary infection and from 14 congenitally infected newborns was qualitatively investigated by nucleic acid sequence—based amplification. IEmRNA was detected in 100%, 75%, 36.3%, 22.2%, and 0% of samples collected 1, 2, 3, 4–6, and >6 months after onset of primary HCMV infection, respectively, showing 83.7% sensitivity and 92.2% specificity, compared with results of quantitative DNAemia (detection of viral DNA in blood). In infected newborns, IEmRNA was positive in 100% of samples collected 1–7 days (median, 1.5 days) and in 46.4% of samples collected 27–260 days (median, 88 days) after birth, showing 75.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity, compared with DNAemia results. IEmRNA was not detected in HCMV-immune individuals with remote or recurrent HCMV infection or in uninfected newborns. IEmRNA determination appears to be a valuable tool for early diagnosis of both primary and congenital HCMV infection

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