Differences in Duration and Degree of Cytomegalovirus DNAemia Observed with Two Standardized Quantitative Nucleic Acid Tests and Implications for Clinical Care.

Cytomegalovirus viral loads overall were 0.29 log IU/ml higher with cobas® CMV for use on the cobas® 6800/8800 System (cobas CMV) when compared to Cobas® AmpliPrep/Cobas® TaqMan® CMV Test (CAP/CTM CMV). CMV DNAemia was detected 11.5 days earlier by cobas CMV, while clearance was delayed by 12.8 days. CMV remained detectable by cobas CMV in 44.2% of patients at the time of viral clearance as determined by CAP/CTM CMV. Undetectable viral load by cobas CMV at end of treatment was associated with reduced risk for re-treatment (odds ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.04 - 0.99; P = 0.05).