Detection of cytomegalovirus disease by real-time quantitative PCR targeting immediate early gene (ppUL83) in different samples among post-renal-transplant recipients

Renal transplantation is a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was analysed among symptomatic and asymptomatic post-renal-transplant recipients (PRTRs). A total of 30 PRTRs were enrolled. DNA was extracted and quantitative real-time PCR for CMV (CMV R-Gene, France) targeting ppUL83 gene was performed on whole blood, urine and saliva. The detection rate of CMV was found to be 27% (n = 8) in different samples, including whole blood, urine and saliva. Among 30 PRTRs, 53% (n = 16) of the PRTRs did not shed virus in saliva. About 7% of CMV was detected only in saliva among PRTRs who were symptomatic.