RAPID DETECTION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS STRAINS RESISTANT TO GANCICLOVIR THROUGH MUTATIONS WITHIN THE GENE UL97

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene UL97 product was shown to play an important role in phosphorylation of ganciclovir (GCV) in HCMV-infected cells. The deletion of the 4 amino-acid sequence AACR confers resistance to a laboratory mutant. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and simple method to detect mutations within the 12 base pair (bp) fragment encoding AACR, from isolates and clinical specimens (urine, bronchoalveolar lavage, cerebral spinal fluid samples). A target region encompassing this 12 bp sequence was amplified by a single-step PCR assay from HCMV isolates and reference strains, and a two-step procedure from clinical specimens. Reaction products were submitted to restriction enzyme analysis and dot-blot hybridization assay. Two biotinylated probes were used: one probe (DL) overlapping the 12 bp region; and a control probe with similar length and GC content. Hybridization was performed under conditions allowing the detection of one bp deletion (HCMV strain susceptibility to GCV was determined by a rapid late antigen synthesis reduction assay.) The control probe hybridized to the UL97 sequence amplified from all 23 tested isolates and the reference strains. The DL probe gave a positive signal with GCV-susceptible strains; no signal was obtained for five out of seven resistant isolates, and for a laboratory mutant derived from the strain AD169. Restriction analysis of amplification products showed different patterns suggesting this region can be involved in various DNA changes. The results from assays directly performed on 10 clinical samples correlated with GCV strain susceptibility determination. This rapid and simple method for detecting mutations in this region of the gene UL97 could be a useful tool for identification of some GCV-resistant strains from isolates and directly from clinical specimens. © 1993 Academic Press. All rights reserved.