Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus disease

The diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease involves CMV serology, CMV DNA nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) (eg polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) of peripheral whole blood or plasma, and demonstration of CMV in biopsy tissue or samples such as aqueous or vitreous humour, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Seek expert advice about diagnosis in immunocompromised patients.

The correlation between peripheral blood CMV viral load (quantitative NAAT result) and the presence and severity of disease is not well defined, although disease is more likely with a higher viral load.