Abstract
Objectives. To develop a sensitive multiplex PCR to detect HCMV, HHV6 and HHV7, to test this
PCR on urine specimens sent to the virus diagnostic laboratory and on stored urine
samples from HIV-positive patients and their HIV-negative partners and to compare
the sensitivity of the multiplex PCR with the diagnostic laboratory's routine service
for the detection of HCMV.
Study design. Primers specific for each of the three viruses were combined in a multiplex PCR
that was then optimised for sensitivity. This PCR was applied prospectively to 413
unselected routine urine specimens over a 1 year period and retrospectively to 258
urine specimens from 63 HIV-positive patients and 10 HIV-negative partners.
Methods. In the prospective study, the multiplex PCR detected 40 specimens positive for HCMV
alone, 10 for HHV6, 3 for HHV7 and 3 with a dual infection of HCMV and HHV6. The sensitivity
for HCMV was 93.5% by multiplex PCR compared to 28.3% by culture. HHV6 DNA was detected
in 6 neonates (2–21 days) and HHV7 DNA in 2 neonates (4 and 20 days). In the retrospective
study of HIV patients, HCMV was the most commonly detected virus (55.6%) compared
to HHV6 (7.9%) and HHV7 (4.8%).
Conclusions. The multiplex PCR was significantly more sensitive than non-DNA based procedures
for the detection of HCMV. Urine may be a useful non-invasive specimen for the detection
of HHV6 and HHV7 and their presence in neonates suggest perinatal transmission or
the possibility of in utero infection.
Keywords
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© 2003 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
