Author(s)
Cedric V Pritchett MD MPH
Qun T Huo PhD
Kenneth A Alexander MD PhD
Peter E Phelan MS
Affiliation(s)
Nemours Children's Hospital;
Abstract:
Educational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to discuss the novel concept of nanotechnology directed identification of cytomegalovirus, and implications congenital CMV screening in neonates.
Objectives: To compare the diagnostic ability of a nanotechnology based immunoassay (D2Dx) to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in identifying CMV in the urine of children.
Study Design: Nonrandomized, prospective experimental design with control group.
Methods: Urine from 20 children (10 with a diagnosis of congenital CMV) was collected. The D2Dx immunoassay (gold nanoparticles coated with antivirus antibodies) was mixed with each urine specimen individually, in a single step and washing free manner. The presence of CMV in the urine was sought using dynamic light scattering techniques. Confirmatory conventional PCR testing was performed on each urine sample to validate results.
Results: Among the 20 samples, the test results of 16 samples match between the D2Dx and PCR test. For the remaining 4 samples, two D2Dx test results match the clinical diagnosis and two PCR test results match the clinical diagnosis. The sensitivity of D2Dx test was comparable with PCR technique and was noted to detect the virus at a concentration around 100 copies/mL.
Conclusions: We found the D2Dx test results are highly correlative with the clinical diagnosis and PCR test.