Abstract
A previous study suggested that delayed sample preparation can cause a false-positive plasma cytomegalovirus (CMV) PCR. We evaluated 78 samples submitted for CMV testing, and we report that a 24-h delay in plasma separation did not affect viral quantitation by real-time PCR. Laboratories should evaluate specimen handling requirements for their own PCR technology.
MeSH terms
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Blood Specimen Collection / methods
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Computer Systems
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Cytomegalovirus / genetics
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Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
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Cytomegalovirus Infections / blood
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Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis*
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Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
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DNA, Viral / blood*
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DNA, Viral / isolation & purification
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Drug Stability
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Humans
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Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
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Reproducibility of Results