Broadsheet number 50: Diagnosis of human cytomegalovirus infection and disease

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) remains an important cause of illness in immunocompromised individuals and the most common viral cause of congenital malformation. The tests available for diagnosis of CMV include serology, antigen detection, virus culture, tissue histopathology and nucleic acid detection. The diagnosis of CMV remains difficult because of the issues of virus latency, virus infection versus clinical disease and virus reactivation. The tests available and the use of these tests are undergoing significant changes. This Broadsheet presents a review of these tests, particularly in the diagnosis of congenital infection and infection in pregnant women and immuncompromised individuals.