Copyright © American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Association for Molecular Pathology Development of Real-Time PCR Assays for the Quantitative Detection of Epstein-Barr Virus and Cytomegalovirus, Comparison of TaqMan Probes, and Molecular B

Abstract

Human Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause serious complications in immunocompromised patients. Rapid diagnosis of EBV and CMV infection is critical in the management of the disease so that anti-viral therapy can be started early. Here we describe the development of real-time PCR assays using TaqMan probes and molecular beacons and compare the performance of both assays with a well-established, validated, gel-based PCR method for the quantification of EBV and CMV in patients ’ samples. The TaqMan and molecular beacon assays were linear between 10 to 10 7 viral genomes/reaction. Both assays generated calibration curves with strong correlation and low intra-assay and interassay variation. Results of EBV and CMV viral load determination inpatien