There are three different types of cytomegalovirus infection that require CMV lab tests:
Congenital
Primary
Reactivation
Roche diagnostics has made a commitment to deter the spread of CMV and is continuously monitoring the progression of CMV infections. We have the systems to accurately conduct CMV lab tests and help clinicians support their patients.
CMV can be dangerous to people with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as HIV or cancer. It can cause significant health problems in infants. CMV lab tests help identify the virus by checking for signs in the blood, sputum, or other body fluids.
The most widely available cytomegalovirus diagnosis tests from commercial laboratories are serologic tests that detect CMV antibodies (IgM and IgG). The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is the most common serologic test for measuring antibodies to CMV.
CMV in newborns is tested through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on saliva, with urine usually collected and tested for confirmation.
CMV IgG diagnosis testing is recommended before transplantation to assess CMV risk and guide posttransplant patient management. For patients 12 months or younger, Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) using an oral or urine specimen can help identify infection before transplantation.
A cytomegalovirus diagnosis test can be warranted in certain situations to test for CMV resistance. This is done through genotypic methods. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is a more sensitive method to detect resistant subpopulations than traditional Sanger sequencing.