Laboratory evaluation of the new Access® cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin IgM and IgG assays

Abstract Background Reliable laboratory methods for detecting congenital CMV infection are valuable since CMV infections are asymptomatic and because early detection is important for correct management and counseling of expectant mothers. Objectives Compare the Beckman Coulter Access ® method for the Unicel ® DxI 800 analyzer with the bioMerieux VIDAS ® method for two serological markers: CMV IgG and CMV IgM. Study design Precision was determined with CLSI EP5-A2 protocol. Linearity of the Access CMV IgG was evaluated using selected high positive samples. Performance was assessed by testing non-selected pregnant women, frozen negative and positive samples with recent and old infections. Kinetics of the anti-CMV antibodies response was studied using samples from pregnant women with a recent infection. In a prospective study, 3992 pregnant women were screened for determining prevalence of a primo-infection and CMV IgM non-specific rate. Results Total CV is lower than 10% and 12% for Access CMV IgG and CMV IgM. The IgG method is linear ( R 2  = 0.999) with recoveries between 85% and 108%. Correlation between Access and VIDAS CMV IgG is highly significant ( P P Conclusion Good sensitivity and specificity and pronounced anti-CMV antibody response make the Access CMV IgG and IgM tests suitable for screening prenatal CMV infections.