We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Saliva Culture Superior to Neonate Molecular Screening for CMV

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 May 2010
A molecular screening test, using heel-prick blood, was not consistently sensitive enough to detect a congenitally transmitted viral infection in neonate blood samples. More...
The samples collected on filter paper are routinely used to test for metabolic and genetic diseases.

The test using real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) on dried blood samples (DBS) were compared with saliva culture methods to detect Cytomegalovirus (CMV). The key feature of the RT-PCR procedure is that the amplified DNA is detected as the reaction progresses in real time rather than at the end of the process. The common methods for detection of products in real-time PCR use either nonspecific fluorescent dyes that intercalate with any double-stranded DNA, or sequence-specific DNA probes consisting of oligonucleotides that are labeled with a fluorescent reporter. Single-primer and two-primer RT-PCR systems were used to detect the fluorescent copies of the CMV DNA. The results were published online on April 2010 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).


The samples were collected from infants born at seven United States medical centers as part of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders' CMV and Hearing Multicenter Screening (CHIMES) Study (NIDCD; Bethesda, MD, USA). Blood samples taken by heel pricks from neonates are routinely tested for such diseases as hyperthyroidism and sickle cell anemia and could therefore also be used in this study. As CMV infection is a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss, both of which may be unapparent in the newborn, and at present, the only way to detect the virus is the labor-intensive tissue culture method.

The lead team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital (Birmingham, AL, USA), tested the diagnostic accuracy of the RT-PCR system for CMV in 20,448 babies. The saliva culture method detected 91/92 that were confirmed to have congenital CMV infection. The single primer RT-PCR was used on 11,422 samples could only detect 17/60 confirmed cases, while the 2-primer set found only 11 positives from the 32 proven cases of the 9,026 samples screened.

In the United States there are an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 babies born each year with congenital CMV. Hearing loss may occur in 10% to 15% due to the inapparent infections, which may have a late or progressive onset. Suresh Boppana, M.D, coprincipal investigator of the study, said "that a screening test needs to have a sensitivity of at least 95%" and therefore the 30-40 percent achieved on the dried blood meant more than half the infection would have been overlooked. A new study is in progress to test RT-PCR screening of saliva, which is known to be full of viruses in babies with congenital CMV. The saliva examination is noninvasive and needs minimal processing.

Related Links:

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital




Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Automated Biochemical Analyzer
iBC 900
New
Pan-Cancer Panel
TruSight Oncology 500
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Pancreatic cancer diagnosis (Photo courtesy of World Journal of Gastroenterology)

AI-Driven Preliminary Testing for Pancreatic Cancer Enhances Prognosis

Pancreatic cancer poses a major global health threat due to its high mortality rate, with 467,409 deaths and 510,992 new cases reported worldwide in 2022. Often referred to as the "king" of all cancers,... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.