Comparison of Whole Blood and Plasma for Monitoring Cytomegalovirus and Epstein–Barr Virus

Yuto Fukuda, Yuka Torii, Ken Ichi Iwata, Kazunori Haruta, Makoto Yamaguchi, Takako Suzuki, Atsushi Narita, Hideki Muramatsu, Yasuhiro Ogura, Yoshiyuki Takahashi, Yoshinori Ito, Jun Ichi Kawada

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Monitoring Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after transplantation is recommended to enable preemptive therapy. However, the most suitable sample type remains unclear. Patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell or liver transplantation were included in this study. Viral loads in sequential whole-blood and plasma samples were retrospectively analyzed. EBV DNA was detected more frequently in whole blood (55%) than in plasma (18%). The detection rate of CMV DNA was similar between the two sample types. The correlation of viral loads between the two sample types were 0.515 and 0.688 for EBV and CMV, respectively. Among paired samples in which EBV DNA was detected in whole blood, the plasma EBV detection rate was significantly higher in patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation than in those who underwent liver transplantation. The viral DNA load in whole blood and plasma showed similar trends. The EBV detection rate was higher in whole blood, and a high correlation was observed between CMV DNA loads and whole blood and plasma. These results indicate that whole blood is more sensitive for monitoring both EBV and CMV, whereas plasma is a potential alternative sample for monitoring CMV.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)52-59
Number of pages8
JournalNew Microbiologica
Volume47
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 03-2024
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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