Cmv Viral Load Real Time Pcr,quantitative

A PCR means polymerase chain reaction.  This is quantitative test. ie. It quantifies the viral load in the body. Viral load means amount of viruses present in body.

 

It is widely available rapid and sensitive method of CMV detection based on amplification of nucleic acid/DNA. DNA of virus can be extracted from whole blood, plasma, or any other tissue (tissue biopsy samples) or fluid (urine, CSF). The result of quantitative PCR or real-time PCR are given as copies/ml of blood or plasma.

Your doctor may ask you to get if

• You have high risk of invasive CMV infection such as HIV infection or undergoing grafting or transplant
• Have serology test positive for CMV
• Pregnant and have active CMV
• Newborn with symptoms of infection
• To monitor existing antiviral treatment in HIV or immunocompromised patient

Infection in healthy people can cause mild illness that may include:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Swollen glands
• Occasionally, CMV can cause mononucleosis or hepatitis (liver problem).

 

However, people with weakened immune systems may have serious symptoms affecting the eyes, lungs, liver, esophagus, stomach and intestines.

Babies born with CMV can have brain, liver, spleen, lung, and growth problems. The most common long-term health problem in babies born with congenital CMV infection is hearing loss.

Other names: CMV PCR, CMV Quantitative PCR

 

More about CMV Viral Load Real Time PCR

 

CMV is Cytomegalovirus infection. Cytomegalovirus is virus of Herpes family. Other viruses from this family are chickenpox. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ or bone marrow transplant recipients as well as in AIDS patients. Quantitative CMV PCR testing gives the clinician a "viral load" value useful for monitoring antiviral therapy and possibly identifying patients at risk for CMV disease.

 

Once infected, virus remains in the body forever in inactive form. However, it can become active due to stress or other immune system problem.

CMV infection is mild with flu like symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, CMV can be serious in individuals with compromised immune system like HIV infection or cancer. Pregnant women with active CMV infection can pass this virus to fetus which can lead to deafness, vision problems or intellectual disabilities. While there is no cure for CMV, antiviral medicines and other treatments may reduce symptoms.

 

CMV  infected person may pass the virus in body fluids, such as saliva, urine, blood, tears, semen, and breast milk. It can spread in the following ways:

 

• From direct contact with saliva or urine, especially from babies and young children
• Through sexual contact
• From breast milk to nursing infants
• Through transplanted organs and blood transfusions

Requirements: No fasting is required. However, other test done along with this may require it, hence check with your healthcare provider for the same.

 

Reference range: Not detected.

 

The detection range of this assay is 1000 copies/ml.

 

Interpretation 

A Positive result means you have active infection with CMV. Once infected CMV always remains in the body. CMV cannot be cured however, timely treatment is crucial to cure the symptoms.