We evaluated the AMPLICOR CMV test (PCR) for the direct detection of cytomegalovirus in plasma. Sixtyeight specimens were involved for the comparison between the AMPLICOR test and the antigenemia assay. The sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values were 97.1, 100, 100, and 97.1%, respectively, for the AMPLICOR test and 79.4, 100, 100, and 82.9%, respectively, for the antigenemia assay.

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We evaluated the effectiveness of the newly developed WAKOTM ƒÀ-glucan test which measures plasma (1•¨3)-ƒÀ-D-glucan concentrations in the diagnosis of Candida deep mycosis. This test was compared to the Cand-Tec test. The WAKOTM ƒÀ-glucan test and Cand-Tec test were performed on 212 plasma specimens which were taken at 212 instances from 62 immunocompromised patients with serious diseases ;.e. hematopoietic malignancy, solid malignant tumor, etc. The sensitivities and specificities for the WAKOTM ƒÀ-glucan test were 84.8 and 85.9%, respectively, and 60.9 and 80.0% for the Cand-Tec test.

DNA was extracted from urinary sediments and was sufficient for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzymatic analysis, even if DNA from microorganisms coexisted. From urine samples, the yield of DNA ranged from trace levels to 20 micrograms per 10 mL urine. When urinary sediment was stored in ethanol, DNA remained stable for 2 weeks or more. Individual identification and sex determination could easily be performed using either fresh or ethanol-fixed urine. In conclusion, urine can be used as a source for PCR-based investigations and genetic studies.

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