Viral infection would have a deleterious impact on renal graft survival, and increase the morbidity and mortality in renal transplant patients. The clinical diagnosis of viral infection in renal transplant is difficult. Standard procedure for
identification of viruses is tissue culture, but it takes much time. Serological diagnosis of viral infection does not always represent the clinically apparent infections. Recently, the value of direct virus detection by nonisotopic DNA probe in
situ
hybridization (ISH) has been introduced.
To evaluate the potential role of cytomegalovirus(CMV), Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) and herpes simplex virus(HSV) on renal graft rejection, eleven rejected kidney allograft specimens were analyzed by ISH with the biotinylated DNA probes. CMV-infected
lung
tissue, EBV-infected lymph node tissue and HSV-infected skin tissues were used as positive controls. One specimen showed positive hybridization with CMV probe and one with EBV probe. The procedure can be completed in less than 1.5 hours.
In conclusion, we suggest the colorimetric method for ISH could be a powerful tool of detection of viruses in tissues without the need of radioactive probe. Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and herpes simplex virus may be of minor importance
in
triggering allograft rejection in Korea.
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