A rapid detection method was developed and applied for the detection of cytomegalovirus(CMV) antigen from various clinical specimens. The shell vial culture method allowed to replicate low titer of virus present in clinical specimens in cell
culture,
and subsequent immunofluorescence staining of the infected MRC-5 cell monolayers detected CMV antigen. Eighty-four blood specimens, 82 urine specimens. 35 broncholaveolar lavage (BAL) specimens, and 9 other specimens, were examined for the
presence
of
CMV by the method. Twenty-eight episodes of CMV infection were detected : 4 from blood specimens, 16 from urine specimens, 6 from BAL specimens, and 2 from other specimens. Most of antigen-positive patients were those receiving organ transplants.
The
shell vial culture method is a simple and rapid method for detecting CMV antigen from clinical specimens. The method can be applied to other medically important viruses.
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