Analysis for cytomegalovirus: indications for the appointment of blood tests, which shows decoding

There are several reasons for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection. Often there is an asymptomatic course of the disease, there is a risk of very serious complications in a pregnant woman and a child.

Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus

For analysis on cytomegalovirus, blood sampling in the patient should be made, urine or sputum collected. Diagnosis of the disease is performed to detect antibodies to infection in the patient's body. Antibodies appear in the patient's body immediately after infection and help thereby stop the subsequent development of the infectious process, due to which the disease proceeds without significant symptoms.

To determine the stage of the pathological process, it is necessary to regularly determine the level of antibodies in the blood. Simultaneously with the blood test, other methods of examination are used to establish an accurate diagnosis.

Indications for analysis

Present in the human body, cytomegalovirus usually does not manifest itself at all, especially if a good and strong immune system. Indications for the appointment of blood tests for cytomegalovirus are as follows:

• Pregnancy planning.
• Organ transplant surgery.
• Placental insufficiency.
• Miscarriage.
• Signs of infection of the baby in the womb.
• Presence of uncharacteristic pneumonia in a child.

Analysis of cytomegalovirus can be prescribed even if a person has very often colds. Due to timely diagnostics, it is possible to determine the presence of the disease at the initial stages and to conduct timely treatment.

Importance of giving analysis in pregnancy

When planning a pregnancy, it is very important to determine the presence of a virus in a woman's body. This infection can provoke various kinds of complications in a pregnant woman and a fetus. Infection at a term of up to 10 weeks often leads to intrauterine malformations. Because of the presence of infection, there is a high risk of spontaneous miscarriage.

With a later infection, fetal development may be delayed. Infringements of internal organs are possible, therefore newborn children suffer from hearing loss and respiratory diseases.

It is very important in pregnancy to take a timely cytomegalovirus analysis, as there are certain drugs that can suppress its activity and prevent the occurrence of severe disorders in the fetus.

Main types of analysis

There are several types of analyzes for cytomegalovirus, the main of which are considered to be:

• Cytoscopy;
• Cultural method;
• Polymer-chain reaction;
• Analysis of ELISA.

The most frequently used ELISA assay, as it helps detect the virus in the body even at the initial stages of infection. The essence of the method implies the definition of antibodies to the presence of the virus in the blood. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to determine which class of immunoglobulins are present in the blood. This analysis is considered the most accurate and reliable. The advantage of this type of research is that the results can be obtained very quickly.

Carrying out of research by a method of a polymeric chain reaction means under itself definition of DNA of a virus. Absolutely any biological material is suitable for research.

Absolutely any biological material is suitable for the culture method of research, but a long wait for the results is considered a shortcoming. After sampling the biomaterial, it is placed in a nutrient medium, where it is located for 10-12 days. This makes it possible to determine the presence of infection in the body. What kind of analysis to conduct is determined only by the attending physician.

Preparation for the analysis

To obtain the most reliable result, during the research it is necessary to adhere to certain recommendations. It is forbidden for women to take the test during menstruation. If the analysis fence is carried out from the male urethra, then it is forbidden to wet it for several hours.

The result is influenced by the amount of material taken and the correctness of the fence. Certain training is not required, but it is advisable to donate blood from the vein early in the morning on an empty stomach.

Explanation of results

It is necessary to know what the analysis of cytomegalovirus shows, for correct interpretation of the results. Immunity provokes the production of immunoglobulins immediately after the virus enters the body. Determine how active microorganisms and how long they are present in the body will help the analysis of cytomegalovirus. The decoding consists in indicating titers for antibodies of the IgG group. They are determined not only during the course of the disease, but also after the treatment.

This is why a second analysis is carried out after a while. If the IgG antibody titer rises, then this indicates that the virus has been activated. To confirm the diagnosis, you need to conduct an additional study to determine the blood antibodies of the IgM group.

The decoding of the result obtained should be performed only by a doctor who then treats the patient. If there is a need, additional tests can be prescribed.

IgG antibody norm

The number of immunoglobulins is expressed as a titer. Norms for the value of the IgG titer do not exist, because the number of antibodies produced in the body of each person may differ for various reasons. It can be a general condition of the body, the state of the immune system, lifestyle, the presence of chronic diseases, especially metabolism.

What is IgM and IgG

Immunoglobulins are proteins that spread in the intercellular fluid and blood lymphocytes. Due to the presence of antibodies, the greatest possible protection against the spread of infection is ensured.

During the study for the presence of cytomegalovirus, the state of antibodies IgM and IgG is assessed. Immunoglobulin of the IgM group begins production at the primary infection in the initial stage of the disease. If they are detected in the blood, then this indicates a recent infection of a person or a relapse of the disease. In this case, they are much less than in the case of primary infection.

Literally a month after infection, immunoglobulins like IgG appear in the blood. At the initial stages of infection, antibodies are characterized by low activity. After a few months their number increases dramatically. It is worth noting that these antibodies are characterized by the absence of normal values, therefore with CMV IgG positive or negative.

Positive IgG result

When infected with cytomegalovirus in the human body, antibodies to infection almost immediately develop. Since the immune system suppresses the spread of the virus, the disease is virtually asymptomatic. The presence of antibodies is determined by conducting a laboratory blood test.

If the analysis shows a negative result, this indicates not only the absence of infection, but also an increased susceptibility to possible primary infection. If CMV IgG is positive, then in this case, stable immunity is not produced.

The analysis is carried out by the ELISA or PRC method . The first option involves the definition of antibodies, indicating the immune response for infection. If the analysis for cytomegalovirus is positive, it indicates that the primary infection occurred no more than a month ago.

Features of cytomegalovirus in children

Quite often, cytomegalovirus is diagnosed in children. Symptoms and treatment of this disease largely depend on the characteristics of infection. In general, the infection proceeds without certain expressed signs. Viruses are resistant to antibiotics. Particularly susceptible to the disease are the fetus and newborn children who may become infected during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If there is cytomegalovirus in children, the symptoms and treatment largely depend on the characteristics of the course of the disease. However, sometimes the child may have certain disorders from the nervous system. In this case, the child may have frequent headaches, insomnia, overwork.

If the immune system of the child is weakened, then the infection can provoke very dangerous complications, so immediate treatment is required. When cytomegalovirus is affected, symptoms in children largely depend on the age of the child and the state of the immune system. In general, there are such signs as:

• Swelling of the larynx;
• Muscle weakness;
• headache.

Sometimes there may be a rash all over the body. Treatment is carried out with the help of antiviral drugs, which can reduce the activity of the virus.