Detection of human cytomegalovirus DNA: how, when and where?

Although several methods have been utilized for the detection and quantification of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA, all of them can be divided into three groups: (i) detection of HCMV DNA directly in tissues by in situ hybridization or in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR); (ii) detection of HCMV DNA in cell or tissue lysates by hybridization with DNA or RNA probes differently labelled-labels were progressively modified in order to provide an increasing sensitivity (hybridization products were revealed by radioactive, colorimetric or chemiluminescent procedures); (iii) detection of HCMV DNA in cell or tissue lysates by qualitative (single-step and nested) and quantitative (semiquantitative, competitive or noncompetitive) PCR. The selection of the methods to be employed depends primarily on the clinical situation which must be evaluated. Clinical samples for HCMV genome detection must vary accordingly.