[Utility of quantitation of human cytomegalovirus(HCMV) DNA in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid by quantitative competitive PCR in AIDS patients].

Persons with advanced HIV infection may have active HCMV infection for months before clinically recognized HCMV disease. The qualitative detection of HCMV-DNA in plasma by PCR is more useful than either urine or blood culture in identifying over time those persons with advanced HIV disease who will develop HCMV disease. Quantitation of HCMV DNA in plasma has identified an association between levels of HCMV DNA in plasma and risk for development of HCMV disease. Thus, quantitative competitive PCR has potential as a marker for the identification of persons who are at highest risk of developing HCMV disease and in helping to guide decisions regarding prophylaxis for HCMV disease. AIDS patients with HCMV-related central nervous system(CNS) disease have high quantities of HCMV DNA in their cerebrospinal fluid(CSF), and quantities of HCMV DNA in CSF are higher in persons with HCMV-related polyradiculopathy than encephalitis. Additionally, quantitation of HCMV DNA can be a useful marker for monitoring the antiviral efficacy of therapies of HCMV-related CNS disease.