Cytomegalovirus (CMV) PCR

Description: 
Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay used to diagnose Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection from sample types other than whole blood eg. bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine, amniotic fluid, saliva swabs, vitreous eye fluid. This assay is routinely available Mon to Fri.
Clinical details: 
Immunocompromised host
Suspected congenital infection
Related condition or disease: 
CSF in suspected CMV encephalitis, CNS disease in immunocopmpromised host, oral/throat swab or urine at <21days of age for suspected congenital CMV, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in suspected CMV pneumonitis
Reference range: 

Not applicable

Synonyms or keywords: 
CMV
Units: 
Qualitative: Detected/Not Detected
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine, amniotic fluid, saliva swabs, vitreous eye fluid. BAL to be collected in a self sealed valved container with no additives. For swabs use standard viral swabs in Universal transport medium (UTM). All other samples to be collected in sterile universal container with no additives.
Turnaround time: 
4 working days
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be sent to CSR promptly as the sensitivity of assays that detect RNA/DNA depend on sample quality/integrity. Please store samples in refrigerator if there is a delay in sending samples to CSR.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Virology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 06/10/2023