This company has developed three formats for the detection of antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Two of these kits, the ELISA and the immunofluorescent format, are designed for patient testing through detection of either IgG or IgM antibodies. The third is a hemagglutination format for blood donor screening on the Olympus PK7200 analyzer.
CMV is a double-stranded DNA virus with physiochemical characteristics similar to the herpes family. Serologic surveys show that CMV infection is worldwide, with antibody prevalence in adults in the range of 20-82 percent. Pregnant women can transmit CMV to the fetus, resulting in congenital liver, spleen and/or CNS disease in the fetus.
Since CMV infections are frequently transmitted through organ transplants and blood transfusions, the blood donors screening can be an important step toward reducing CMV transmission.
The transfusion of CMV-positive blood can cause pneumonia, fever, and hepatitis in immunocompromised recipients. CMV may be associated with Kaposi’s sarcoma and may be a factor in activating latent HIV.
Hemagen
www.hemagen.com
Keyword: test kit, reagent, cmv
