Cytomegalovirus, DNA PCR - Qualitative Test

Cytomegalovirus test (CMV) is used to determine if someone has an active CMV infection. It may also be prescribed to find out if a patient has been infected earlier. CMV virus may cause serious illness and complications in newborns and/or people with weak immune systems such as transplant recipients, cancer patients, people receiving immunosuppressive drugs and people with HIV. The antibody test for this infection is done via a blood test for a molecular method such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be used to detect and measure the amount of viral DNA in a person's sample. Testing can be qualitative, determining the presence or absence of CMV. Symptoms of this infection include fatigue, weakness, sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes and muscle cramps.

The patient needs to provide a brief history of his/her medication to the doctor. The patient is also advised to do a 12-hour fasting before undergoing the test. For the blood test, the patient is advised to wear a sleeveless shirt or a loose fit full sleeve shirt which can be comfortable while giving the blood test.

The test helps in determining the positive or negative level of IgG or IgM in a symptomatic person. Positive CMV IgM and negative CMV IgG means the person was recently infected The positive CMV IgG and IgM shows that a person is likely exposed to CMV for the first time If CMV IgG and IgM is negative or the level of antibodies are low the patient either has a condition of CMV or has low immune system.

A band is wrapped around the arm, preferably near the elbow pit such that vein is clearly seen The area is cleaned with 70% alcohol The needle is inserted into the visible vein causing a small prick and the required amount of blood sample is collected The collected blood is transferred into the blood container from the nozzle and the syringe is hygienically disposed immediately.