Molecular detection of cytomegalovirus in pregnant women referred for the triple marker test

The study was carried out to correlate and analyze the cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnant women who had come for triple marker screening. Fifty blood samples were collected from women in the age group of 20 to 40 years and were tested for the detection of CMV by serum analysis with PCR and serological examination by ELISA technique. PCR and serological examination can detect CMV in serum samples and distinguish primary infection and recurrent infection. Twenty six per cent (13/50) blood samples from women showed PCR positivity for CMV infection. Serological examination of a 27 year old woman showed a negative IgG and a positive IgM, indicating a recent infection with CMV. Journal of Diagnostic Pathology 2015;10(1):23-33