Regulation of the lysophosphatidylserine and sphingosine 1-phosphate levels in autologous whole blood by the pre-storage leukocyte reduction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The effect of leukoreduction and storage periods on the accumulation of bioactive lysophospholipids and substances in human autologous blood (AB units) has not been fully investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The accumulation of bioactive lysophospholipids such as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidylserine (LysoPS) in AB units during the storage was investigated. The time-dependent changes and the effect of the filtration in pre-storage leuckoreduction (LR) and unmodified samples derived from 46 AB units were analysed. Additionally, the changes of lysophospholipids and platelet releasate, namely ß-thromboglobulin (ß-TG), induced by exposure of whole blood (WB) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to the filter material were analysed. RESULTS: LysoPS, but not S1P levels, time-dependently and significantly increased in both unmodified and LR samples. LysoPS significantly decreased in LR compared with unmodified samples, whereas S1P increased in LR compared with unmodified samples. In addition, exposure of WB and/or PRP to the filter material in vitro resulted in increased levels of S1P, LysoPS and ß-TG. CONCLUSIONS: LR effectively reduced the accumulation of LysoPS in AB units. On the other hand, it increased concentrations of S1P due to platelet activation by exposure to the filter material. These suggest that increases of S1P levels in LR and LysoPS in the unmodified samples were mainly caused by the leukocytes and/or platelets and that LR was effective in inhibiting the accumulation of LysoPS.

The frequencies of human neutrophil alloantigens among the Japanese population.

Human neutrophil antigens (HNAs) play an important role in a variety of clinical conditions including immune-mediated neutropenia, non-hemolytic transfusion reactions, and transfusion-related acute lung injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency distribution of HNAs-1 to -5 among the Japanese population. We analyzed samples from 570 healthy Japanese by molecular and serologic techniques to estimate the gene frequencies of HNAs-1 to -5. DNA samples were obtained and typed for the HNA-1 (n = 523), -3 (n = 570), -4 (n = 570), and -5 (n = 508), by molecular techniques. The HNA-1 genotype was determined by using a commercial polymerase chain reaction-reverse sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR-rSSOP) kit. The HNA-3 to -5 genotypes were determined by the PCR-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP), previously described, with a small modification. The HNA-2a phenotype was determined in 301 donors by granulocyte immunofluorescence test. In Japanese, the gene frequencies of HNA-1a, -1b, and -1c were 0.623, 0.377, and 0.000, respectively. The frequency of HNA-2a phenotype was 0.987, and the gene frequencies of HNA-3a and -3b were 0.654 and 0.346, respectively. HNA-4a and -4b were found at 1.000 and 0.000, respectively, and HNA-5a and -5b at 0.840 and 0.160, respectively. We describe, for the first time, the frequencies of all HNAs (HNA-1 to -5) among the Japanese population. This study will be helpful for the prediction of the risk of alloimmunization to HNA, especially to determine the risk of HNA alloantibody production by transfusion of HNA incompatible blood and feto-maternal incompatibility.

Identification of N-homocysteinylated apolipoprotein AI in normal human serum.

BACKGROUND: In human serum, a portion of homocysteine (Hcy) exists as an N-linked form to the epsilon-amino group of protein lysine residues. N-homocysteinylated proteins differ structurally and functionally from native proteins. The present study strives to develop detection and potential semi-quantification methods for N-homocysteinylated apolipoprotein AI (N-Hcy-apoAI) in human serum. METHODS: Serum treated with or without cysteamine was supplied to isoelectric focusing (IEF) followed by an immunoblot using an anti-apoAI antibody. Cysteamine treatment increased the isoelectric point for N-Hcy-apoAI, but not for unmodified apoAI, due to the presence of -SH group(s) derived from Hcy and the absence of a cysteine residue in the apoAI molecule. N-Hcy-apoAI was semi-quantified from the scanned immunoblot pattern via a computer. RESULTS: After cysteamine treatment, N-Hcy-apoAI in the serum was identified by IEF at the position with a higher pI value compared with intact apoAI. The reproducibility (between assays) of the semi-quantification method was 19.1% CV (coefficient of variation) for an average ratio 5.9% of N-Hcy-apoAI to the whole apoAI in the serum. Approximately 1.0-7.4% of apoAI was N-homocysteinylated in the serum obtained from 27 healthy subjects. Neither the ratio of N-Hcy-apoAI nor its concentration, calculated by total apoAI concentration, indicated correlation with the so-called total (free and S-linked) Hcy concentration. CONCLUSIONS: We directly found that a portion of apoAI in the serum undergoes homocysteinylation in an N-linkage manner, and used this to develop a potential semi-quantification method for N-Hcy-apoAI.

Functional analysis of recombinant Bbeta15C and Bbeta15A fibrinogens demonstrates that Bbeta15G residue plays important roles in FPB release and in lateral aggregation of protofibrils.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Analysis of dysfibrinogens has improved our understanding of molecular defects and their effects on the function of intact fibrinogen. To eliminate the influence of plasma heterozygous molecules, we synthesized and analyzed recombinant-variant fibrinogens. METHODS: We synthesized two recombinant-variant fibrinogens with a single amino acid substitution at the 15Gly residue in the Bbeta-chain: namely, Bbeta15Cys and Bbeta15Ala. RESULTS: Western blotting analysis of purified fibrinogen revealed the existence of a small amount of a dimeric form only for Bbeta15Cys fibrinogen. For Bbeta15Cys fibrinogen, functional analysis indicated (a) no thrombin-catalyzed fibrinopeptide B (FPB) release and (b) markedly impaired lateral aggregation in thrombin- and reptilase-catalyzed fibrin polymerizations. For Bbeta15Ala fibrinogen, such analysis indicated slight impairments of both thrombin-catalyzed FPB release and lateral aggregation in thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization, but nearly normal lateral aggregation in reptilase-catalyzed fibrin polymerization. These impaired lateral aggregations were accompanied by thinner fibrin fiber diameters (determined by scanning electron microscopy of the corresponding fibrin clots). CONCLUSION: We conclude that a region adjacent to Bbeta15Gly plays important roles in lateral aggregation not only in desA fibrin polymerization, but also in desAB fibrin polymerization, and we speculate that the marked functional differences between Bbeta15A and Bbeta15C fibrinogens in FPB release and fibrin polymerization might not only be due to the presence of a substituted cysteine residue in Bbeta15C fibrinogen, but also to the existence of disulfide-bonded forms. Finally, our data indicate that the Bbeta15Gly residue plays important roles in FPB release and lateral aggregation of protofibrils.

Comparison of thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and factor XIIIa-catalyzed cross-linking of fibrin among three recombinant variant fibrinogens, gamma 275C, gamma 275H, and gamma 275A.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We have previously reported that recombinant gamma 275Cys fibrinogen exhibits a marked impairment of functions as well as aberrant fibrin clot and bundle structures, as compared with wild-type, gamma 275Arg, and plasma fibrinogen from a heterozygous proband. Since gamma Arg275His mutations have also been reported in 10 families, we synthesized recombinant gamma 275His fibrinogen and gamma 275Ala fibrinogen (as a control) and analyzed and compared them with gamma 275Cys and gamma 275Arg. METHODS: A variant gamma-chain expression plasmid was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing normal human fibrinogen A alpha- and B beta-chains. After purification of the recombinant variant fibrinogens, we performed functional analyzes for thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and factor XIIIa (FXIIIa)-catalyzed gamma-gamma dimer formation from fibrin or fibrinogen and also ultrastructural analysis of fibrin clots and bundles. RESULTS: By comparison with both gamma 275His and gamma 275Ala fibrinogens, recombinant gamma 275Cys fibrinogen exhibited a more impaired gamma-gamma dimer formation from fibrin or fibrinogen, a more aberrant fibrin clot structure, and thicker fibers in fibrin bundles. In 1 : 1 mixtures of gamma 275Arg and gamma 275Cys fibrinogens or gamma 275Arg and gamma 275His fibrinogens, thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and both fibrin clot and fiber structures showed some compensation (as compared with gamma 275Cys or gamma 275His alone). CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggest that an amino acid substitution of gamma 275Arg alone disrupts D:D interactions in thrombin-catalyzed fibrin polymerization and the formation of fibrin bundles and fibrin clots. Moreover, the existence of a subsequent disulfide-linked Cys in gamma 275C fibrinogen augments the impairment caused by a His or Ala substitution.

Recombinant fibrinogen, gamma275Arg-->Cys, exhibits formation of disulfide bond with cysteine and severely impaired D:D interactions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Analysis of dysfibrinogens has provided useful information aiding our understanding of molecular defects in fibrin polymerization. We have already reported impaired fibrin polymerization in a variant fibrinogen (gammaArg275Cys), the Cys being located in the D:D interface. Since this substitution occurred in a heterozygous individual, interpretation of the functional analysis was complicated. We tried to resolve this complication by synthesizing a recombinant variant fibrinogen. METHODS: A variant gamma-chain expression plasmid was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing normal human fibrinogen Aalpha- and Bbeta-chains. The recombinant variant fibrinogen (gamma275C) was purified using an immunoaffinity column, and we compared its structure and functions with those of normal recombinant fibrinogen (gamma275R) and plasma variant fibrinogen. RESULTS: Mass analyses showed the existence of disulfide-linked Cys in both patient and recombinant variant fibrinogens. Functional analyses indicated that both fibrin polymerization and gamma-gamma dimer formation were markedly impaired in the variant fibrinogen. The impairments were much more pronounced in gamma275C than in plasma variant fibrinogen. In addition, scanning electron microscopic observation of fibrin clots made from gamma275C revealed less dense fibrin fiber bundles and larger fiber diameter than in those made from gamma275R, and also the existence of many aberrant fibrin fibers with tapered ends. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that gammaArg275 has an important residue affecting the structure and function of the gamma-chain C-terminal domain. However, the variant D:D interface can interact with that of the normal fibrinogen existing in a heterozygous patient with dysfibrinogenemia.

Characterization of an apolipoprotein E3 variant (Arg 145-->His) associated with mild hypertriglyceridemia.

In a proband (21-yr-old female), we previously identified an apolipoprotein (apo) E variant, apoE3 (Arg 145-->His), with an isoelectric point midway between apoE3 and apoE2. ApoE gene analysis of 4 of the proband's kin indicated that 3 possess the same variant. All 4 had a high concentration of apoE in plasma, while 3 of 4 had hypertriglyceridemia. In the proband (who had no hypertriglyceridemia), most apoE was distributed in slow-alpha lipoproteins (predominantly in the form of apoE-AII heterodimer) and in larger molecules with apparent molecular weights of 80 and 100 kDa. In the proband's brother (with hypertriglyceridemia), however, most apoE was distributed in slow pre-beta lipoproteins, predominantly in the form of monomeric apoE. In each subject, the concentration of apoE3 variant was significantly higher than that of normal apoE3 in the predominant apoE-rich lipoprotein. The apoE3 variant, which displayed a slightly reduced binding ability to LDL-receptor and heparin, may induce an accumulation of apoE-rich lipoproteins. These observations suggest that the difference in distribution of apoE3 variant in plasma lipoproteins between the proband and her brother (combined with its reduced affinity for the LDL receptor) may provide key insights into the pathogenesis of hypertriglyceridemia.

Confirmation of minor components of less polar neutral and acidic glycolipids in monkey brain tissue.

Crude glycolipids, prepared without alkali treatment in advance, were separated into neutral and acidic glycolipids by DEAE-Sephadex A-25 (acetate form) column chromatography. Each glycolipid was further fractionated by a Silica gel 60-column chromatography. By matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with delayed ion extraction (DE MALDI-TOF MS) of the intact glycolipid fractions, the less polar neutral glycolipids were found to contain alkali-labile ester cerebrosides and Galb-1-Diradylglycerols, whereas the less polar acidic glycolipids were found to contain alkali-labile ester sulfatide, HSO(3)-3Gal-1-Diradylglycerols, and novel alkali-stable plasmalo-sulfatides and ester or plasmalo HSO(3)-3Galb-1-Diradylglycerols as minor components of glycolipids in monkey brain tissue. In conclusion, minor components of less polar neutral and acidic glycolipids in monkey brain tissue were confirmed as ester cerebrosides, Galb-1-Diradylglycerols, ester sulfatides, HSO(3)-3Galb-1-Diradylglycerols, and novel plasmalo-sulfatides and ester or plasmalo HSO(3)-3Galb-1-Diradylglycerols by DE MALDI-TOF MS.

Serum immunoglobulin G immune response to Helicobacter pylori antigens in Mongolian gerbils.

The Mongolian gerbil model for Helicobacter pylori infection is an animal model that mimics human disease. We examined the serum immune response to H. pylori infection in gerbils by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting, both with whole-cell (H. pylori) extracts. A total of 66 7-week-old specific-pathogen-free male gerbils were inoculated orogastrically with H. pylori strain ATCC 43504. Sera were collected 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 26, 38, and 52 weeks after H. pylori inoculation. Sixty-nine noninfected gerbils and their sera were used as controls. The specificity of the ELISA was 95.7%. The frequency of seropositivity increased over time: 2 of 10 (20%), 7 of 10 (70%), and 7 of 7 (100%) samples of sera from inoculated gerbils were positive for H. pylori at 2, 4, and 8 weeks postinoculation, respectively. Western blot assays showed that the primary immunoglobulin G (IgG) response against low-molecular-mass (25-, 30-, and 20-kDa) proteins appeared after a lag period of 2 to 8 weeks after inoculation. Antibodies against 160-, 150-, 110-, 120-, 80-, 66-, and 63-kDa proteins were observed 12 weeks after inoculation. The early reactive 30-kDa protein was identified as a urease alpha subunit by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. After 26 weeks, two groups of animals could be distinguished: one group developed ulcers (n = 5), and the other developed hyperplastic polyps without ulcers (n = 19). Gerbils in the gastric ulcer group showed significantly higher serum anti-H. pylori IgG levels than did gerbils in the hyperplastic group (P = 0.001) as measured by ELISA. Furthermore, a higher proportion of animals developed antibodies to H. pylori proteins of 26, 25, and 20 kDa in the ulcer group than those animals with hyperplastic polyps (75 to 100% versus 17 to 50%) in Western blot assays. These results highlight the importance of the immune response of the host in the development of H. pylori-related gastric lesions.

Molecular and epidemiological study of the first outbreak of vanB type vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis in Japan.

In July, 1999, an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VREF) with the vanB genotype occurred for the first time in Japan at Hokushin General Hospital, Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture. Four VREF strains were isolated from the clinical specimens of four inpatients, and 16 VREF strains were isolated by the screening of asymptomatic carriers and by surveillance of the hospital environment. All of the isolates possessed vanB genes. In a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis, 19 out of 20 VREF isolates exhibited the indistinguishable restriction endonuclease digestion patterns of the chromosomal DNA. Additional investigation by Southern hybridization using the vanB probe implied that the vanB gene of these 19 isolates was encoded on a 110-kb plasmid. These findings indicate that the outbreak was principally caused by a single clone. The restriction endonuclease digestion patterns of the remaining single isolate was different from those of the other isolates. The vanB gene was encoded on the chromosome.

Evaluation of the automatic fluorescent image analyzer, Image Titer, for quantitative analysis of antinuclear antibodies.

By making comparisons with the usual manual method, we evaluated an automatic fluorescent image analyzer (Image Titer, Tripath Imaging, Burlington NC), the software for which was developed to simplify measuring indirect immunofluorescent antinuclear antibodies (FANAs). In this new system, images of the stained sample are displayed, and it measures the FANA titer and staining pattern using only 1 slide per subject and does not required the staining of a series of diluted samples as does the manual method. This system showed good reproducibility and linearity for 4 types of control serum samples (with homogeneous, speckled, discrete speckled, and nucleolar staining patterns). In 132 serum samples, consistency between the methods was 100% for the FANA staining pattern and 93.9% for the FANA titer. The Image Titer system detected each pattern in samples with 2 mixed patterns. This system should partly reduce labor and lead to results with minimum differences among individuals, including newly trained persons.

Effect of apolipoprotein AII on the interaction of apolipoprotein E with beta-amyloid: some apo(E-AII) complexes inhibit the internalization of beta-amyloid in cultures of neuroblastoma cells.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E and its polymorphism are linked to the pathogenesis of late-onset and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). ApoE facilitates the deposition and fibrillogenesis of beta-amyloid (Abeta), and may participate in Abeta clearance. We recently found that apo(E-AII) complex binds to Abeta much more strongly than does monomeric apoE. Here, we investigated the effect of apoAII on the interaction between apoE and Abeta. Addition of apoAII to apoE monomers increased the binding of apoE2 and apoE3 to Abeta(1-42), presumably following the formation of apo(E3-AII), apo(E2-AII), and apo(AII-E2-AII) complexes. This increased binding was not seen in the case of apoE4. When neuroblastoma cells were cultured in media containing Abeta(1-42) and a mixture of apoE3 and apoAII, intracellular Abeta was significantly reduced and cell viability was maintained at a higher level than in cells cultured without apoAII. ApoE2 itself seemed to act as an inhibitor of the endocytosis of Abeta, and we did not observe a significant effect of apoAII on the movement of Abeta in apoE2-containing medium. However, cell viability could be maintained at a higher level (as with apoE3) by adding apoAII to apoE2, despite the reduced viability of cells incubated without apoAII. In medium containing apoE4, both the amount of Abeta accumulated into cells and the cell viability were unchanged by the presence of apoAII in the medium. In addition, apoE4 itself was toxic, as previously suggested. These findings demonstrate that the type of apo(E-AII) complex present could underlie the isoform-specific role of apoE in the pathogenesis of AD.

Novel BCR-ABL transcript containing an intronic sequence insert in a patient with Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

In a patient with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), a novel variant of the chimaeric BCR-ABL mRNA transcript was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sequencing revealed the novel transcript to be a chimaeric mRNA produced by fusion of the BCR exon 14 (b3) to the ABL exon a2 with a 49-base pair (bp) insertion of an ABL intron 1b sequence between them. The insertion of the 49 bp introduced a stop codon. These data show that this variant of the chimaeric mRNA would not be translated into the p210 BCR-ABL protein. This could be one of the explanations as to why clinically the patient has responded well to therapy and continues to follow a mild clinical course.

Analysis of hemoglobin and globin chain variants by a commonly used capillary isoelectric focusing method.

To analyze both hemoglobin (Hb) and globin chain variants, we modified a commonly used method, capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF), with detection at 280 nm. The samples were hemolysates prepared from red blood cells, and globin chains obtained from the hemolysates by treatment with cold acidified acetone. When the migration time for the internal reference, carbonic anhydrase I (isoelectric point, pI 6.60), was taken as 1.0, the migration ratio for Hb A0 in normal human blood was 0.877 +/- 0.004 (mean +/- SD, n = 9), and those of the alpha- and beta-globin chains were 0.673 +/- 0.004 and 0.847 +/- 0.005 (mean +/- SD, n = 4), respectively. The ratio of peak heights between the beta- and alpha-globin chains (beta/alpha) in the normal Hbs obtained from four subjects was almost constant at 2.5 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- SD). This ratio indicates which of the globin chains includes a mutation (if one exists). When an Hb variant, Hb Hoshida (in which Gln is substituted for Glu at residue 43 in the beta-globin chain), was analyzed by this method, two main peaks were observed (migration ratios 0.836 and 0.877, corresponding to an abnormal and the normal Hb, respectively). An additional peak with an abnormal migration ratio of 0.788 was also detected in the globin chain profiles. The ratio of peak heights between normal beta- and alpha-globin chains was 1.57, indicating that a mutation exists in the beta-globin chain. We thus established a convenient system using CIEF that provides a rapid and reproducible method for the random analysis of both Hb and globin chain variants.

Difference in electrophoretic mobility and plasmic digestion profile between four recombinant fibrinogens, gamma 308K, gamma 308I, gamma 308A, and wild type (gamma 308N).

We have produced recombinant gamma-chain variant fibrinogens, gamma308K, gamma308I, and gamma308A simultaneously with wild-type fibrinogen, gamma-308N, by genetic protein engineering using Chinese hamster ovary cells. Although all three variant fibrinogens are a result of a single amino acid substitution, the aberrant gamma-chains of gamma308K and gamma308I fibrinogens migrated faster than gamma308N. Furthermore, plasmic digestion profiles were examined in the presence of 5 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or 1 mM CaCl2. In the presence of EGTA, the three variant fibrinogens were digested into D1 and D2 fragments slightly faster than wild type. In addition, the D2 fragment derived from gamma308K was further digested into D3 by plasmin much faster than that from gamma308N. These data suggest that cleavage of gamma356Lys-gamma357Ala bond by plasmin in gamma308K, gamma308I, and gamma308A is slightly accelerated and the gamma302Lys-gamma303Phe bond is cleaved by plasmin rapidly in only the gamma308K variant. Furthermore, the substitution of Lys for gamma308Asn results in the generation of a new plasmin cleavage site between gamma308Lys and gamma309Gly in the presence of EGTA. In conclusion, a substitution at residue gamma308Asn may cause a conformational change in the gammachain of fragment D affecting polymerization and plasmin cleavage.

Identification of a dysfibrinogen, the substitution of gamma308Asn(AAT) to Lys(AAG), using coagulation tests, immunoblot analysis, and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction.

During the past 3 years, we encountered 12 new cases suspected of being dysfibrinogenemias, via plasma coagulation screening tests, which included determination of fibrinogen concentration both by thrombin time and immunologic methods. We performed sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions and immunoblot analysis for these plasma fibrinogens. We identified two cases that were characterized by two distinct gamma-chain bands, similar to previous observations with Matsumoto-II (the substitution of gamma308Asn to Lys). Therefore, in order to identify the gamma308Lys variant easily and rapidly, we established an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR). AS-PCR results indicated that the two cases were indeed heterozygous for the gamma308Lys variant; ten other cases were negative for this mutation. In conclusion, the ratio of fibrinogen concentrations determined by functional and antigenic methods in combination with the immunoblot analysis made these cases attractive for identifying the gamma308Lys mutation. The AS-PCR method proved to be a useful procedure to identify the gamma308K mutation.

[Laboratory system to support liver transplantation].

It is beyond doubt that clinical examination is one of the essential issues in(living-related) liver transplantation as well as other clinical cases. To support liver transplantation, our laboratory has prepared efficient systems and has been trying to improve these systems as follows. 1) We need to construct a system to be able to comply with clinical requests. Thus, we need to know what kinds of laboratory examinations are likely to be required before, during, and after transplant surgery. In general, common laboratory examinations are sufficient to support liver transplantation. The most important thing is whether all the clinical examinations required can be assayed anytime. However, only general biochemical tests and complete blood count are provided outside standard laboratory hours by the medical technologist on duty because of staffing limitation and differences in each specialty. Therefore, we recently introduced a 24-hour on-call system in addition to the system described above. Actually, five persons in charge from each of the five groups divided by each specialty carry the pocket-bells in turns. 2) We supply a report to support the diagnosis and treatment. The report should include opinions and suggestions. A supplementary examination would be recommended if considered necessary. 3) To supply effective comments, we must improve our abilities to understand pathologic findings obtained from laboratory data. Especially, timely biopsy for the diagnosis of rejection depends on a proper interpretation of laboratory tests. Therefore, we need to investigate past cases after liver transplantation using statistical estimations and advanced examinations.

[Clinical evaluation of PCR method for detection of cytomegalovirus DNA].

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-DNA from the clinical specimens is useful to diagnose CMV infection. Eighty-one specimens of 31 patients including peripheral blood, bronchioalveolar lavage fluid, biopsy tissues, feces, urine, sputum and etc. and normal peripheral blood from 59 volunteers were used in this study. After DNA extraction each samples was amplified by the seminested PCR using primers recognizing sequences in the Immediate-early gene of CMV. This PCR method specifically detected more than 10 virus copies even in the presence of the genomic DNA. CMV-DNA was detected in only one of 59 normal peripheral bloods (1.7%). Six of 31 patients were clinically diagnosed as CMV infection by anti-CMV therapy. These 6 patients were positive in the peripheral blood by PCR for CMV, and 5 of them were positive in other samples. However, 3, 5 and 1 of 25 patients, who were clinically diagnosed as not having CMV infection, were also positive in peripheral blood, in the other samples and in both, respectively. The PCR method was able to examine any clinical samples. To examine both the peripheral blood and the samples from infected organs is helpful for the diagnosis of CMV infection.