Naoumov N V, Alexander G J, O'Grady J G, Sutherland S, Aldis P, Portmann B C, Williams R
Liver Unit, King's College Hospital and School of Medicine and Dentistry, London.
Lancet. 1988 Jun 18;1(8599):1361-4. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(88)92180-0.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major cause of hepatic dysfunction after liver transplantation, but proof of infection and distinguishing CMV hepatitis from other causes of impaired liver function can be difficult. In-situ hybridisation for CMV-DNA in liver biopsy specimens was assessed in 25 liver graft recipients in whom CMV was suspected on clinical grounds. CMV-DNA was detected in all 10 patients with primary CMV infection, in whom a close correlation was found between the number of CMV-DNA-positive cells and both the number of cells containing viral inclusions identified by light microscopy and the clinical severity of disease. In contrast, CMV-DNA was not detected in patients with secondary CMV infection, or in those without evidence of CMV infection. In-situ hybridisation for CMV-DNA provides an accurate and rapid diagnosis of CMV infection, and allows specific antiviral therapy to be used earlier.
