Level of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of subjects with AIDS and CMV infection of the central nervous system

Jose R. Arribas, David B. Clifford, Carl J. Fichtenbaum, Deborah L. Commins, William G. Powderly, Gregory A. Storch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

107 Scopus citations

Abstract

The objective of this study was to correlate cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of subjects with AIDS with clinical and pathologic findings attributable to CMV infection of the central nervous system (CNS). CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done on serial dilutions of CSF samples from 24 AIDS patients with autopsy-proven CNS disorders. CMV DNA was detected in CSF from 12 of 13 subjects with evidence of CMV infection of the brain or spinal cord but in none of 11 subjects without autopsy evidence of CMV CNS infection. Subjects whose CSF contained >103CMV DNA molecules/8 μL of CSF had severe CMV CNS disease (e.g., ventriculoencephalitis). PCR appears to be more useful than clinical and neuroradiologic findings for documenting CMV infection of the CNS in patients with AIDS. Quantitation of CMV DNA in CSF shows promise for evaluation of the extent of involvement.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)527-531
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume172
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1995

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Level of cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of subjects with AIDS and CMV infection of the central nervous system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this