Comparing Tests for Cytomegalovirus Infection After Stem Cell Transplant
Author Information
Author(s): Gentile Giuseppe, Picardi Alessandra, Capobianchi Angela, Spagnoli Alessandra, Cudillo Laura, Dentamaro Teresa, Tendas Andrea, Cupelli Luca, Ciotti Marco, Volpi Antonio, Amadori Sergio, Martino Pietro, de Fabritiis Paolo
Primary Institution: Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
Hypothesis
The study evaluates the clinical utility of pp65 antigenemia and PCR assay in plasma for monitoring CMV infection in stem cell transplant patients.
Conclusion
Both plasma PCR and pp65Ag assays are effective in detecting CMV infection, but they often show discordant results.
Supporting Evidence
- 74% of patients had active CMV infection within 100 days from SCT.
- Three patients developed intestinal CMV disease.
- Discordance between pp65Ag and PCR results was frequently observed.
Takeaway
Doctors used two tests to check for a virus in patients who had a stem cell transplant, and found that both tests are helpful but sometimes give different results.
Methodology
38 patients were monitored weekly for CMV infection using both quantitative CMV-PCR in plasma and pp65 Ag assays during the first 100 days after stem cell transplantation.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the non-randomized design and the specific patient population studied.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and the results may not be generalizable to all patient populations.
Participant Demographics
{"age":{"median":41,"range":"11-68"},"sex":{"male":22,"female":16},"diagnosis":{"acute_leukemia":16,"lymphoma":6,"multiple_myeloma":4,"myelodysplastic_syndrome":4,"solid_tumor":4,"non_neoplastic_disorders":3,"chronic_lymphocytic_leukemia":1}}
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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