Preferred Specimen(s):1 mL serum
Transport Container: No additive (red-top) or Plastic screw-cap vial.
Transport Temperature: Refrigerated 3 days
Reject Criteria: Received frozen; Gross hemolysis.
Methodology CLIA
Clinical Significance: Exposure to cytomegalovirus occurs throughout life and by adulthood. 50 to 90% of the population is sero-positive for CMV antibodies. CMV is spread by close contact, sexual transmission, perinatal or congenital transmission and through blood transfusion and tissue transplants. Intrauterine or congenital infections occur in 0.5 to 2.2% of all live births. Symptomatic congenital infections usually occur in infants born to non-immune mothers who have primary infections during pregnancy. Latency and re-activation of CMV influence the interpretation of serological results. A single positive CMV IgG result is an indication of present or past infection. The presence of CMV IgM suggests a recent CMV exposure but does not differentiate between primary infection and re-activation