Chronic cytomegalovirus infection.

Cytomegalovirus infects about 60% of persons in developed countries and may cause significant disease in immunosuppressed patients. Serology has no role in the diagnosis of CMV disease in such patients yet detection of the virus in diseased parts of the body can be used to monitor the course of disease and antiviral measures. Detection of viral proteins (alpha or beta proteins) by monoclonal antibodies in cell cultures infected by urine, saliva or blood samples from patients allows a positive diagnosis within 24 h (DEAFF test). Monoclonal antibodies against CMV can also be used to stain cells obtained directly from the infected patients.