Detection of cytomegalovirus in peripheral leukocytes by different methods.

Screening leukocytes for cytomegalovirus (CMV) by shell vial assay gave unsatisfactory results. Of 10 positive specimens (114 samples), only 2 showing CMV could be detected. Disruption of leukocytes prior to their use in shell vial assays increased the sensitivity of CMV detection considerably: of 32 leukocyte specimens from transplant patients with signs of CMV disease, 13 were positive with disruption and only 3 were positive without. With this modification, 17 transplant patients with suspected CMV infection were regularly screened. Viremia could be detected in 10 cases by the shell vial assay and in 11 cases by the direct detection of immediate early antigen. On the average, viremia was detected 11 days before immunoglobulin M or typical clinical symptoms.