Comparison of two rapid culture methods for detection of cytomegalovirus in clinical specimens.

The conventional virus isolation technique was compared with a 24-h shell vial centrifugation culture technique and with a 48-h tube culture method for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in MRC-5 cells. Of 200 clinical specimens tested, 41 were positive for CMV by at least one procedure. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining was positive for 32 (78.0%) of 41 specimens in the tube culture method and for 30 (73.2%) of 41 specimens in the shell vial centrifugation method. CMV was detected in 23 (56.1%) of 41 specimens by the development of cytopathic effect within 14 days.