No abstract

We evaluated a rapid immunoperoxidase technique for the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia in peripheral blood neutrophils of 56 transplant recipients (117 specimens) and 36 persons with AIDS (59 specimens). Antigenemia was 92% sensitive and 98% specific for the detection of clinical CMV infection in transplant recipients and 100%Yo sensitive and 86% specific in persons with AIDS. Overall, CMV antigenemia was a more rapid and sensitive method for the detection of clinical CMV infection than either shell vial culture or conventional tube culture of blood.

Rapid tests for influenza antigen detection are frequently used, but it is not known how receipt of intranasal influenza vaccine affects results of these tests. We tested healthy adults who received either intranasal or intramuscular influenza vaccine. Of the 14 intranasal vaccine recipients, 7 (50%) had a direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA) result and 2 (14%) had an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) result that was positive for influenza antigen within 7 days after vaccination. No subjects had positive EIA results on day 12 or 13 after vaccination. For some intranasal vaccine recipients, rapid influenza-antigen detection tests yield positive results within 1 week after vaccination.

Ertapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are important nosocomial pathogens. Multiple mechanisms of resistance may be in operation. Additional study of ertapenem resistance is needed.

The highly specific and sensitive latex agglutination test for cryptococcal antigen detection in cerebrospinal fluid is routine in many hospitals. Contamination of cerebrospinal fluid by a minute amount of syneresis fluid (surface condensation) from agar gave a strongly positive reaction which was heat stable, was not eliminated by pronase treatment, and was not detected by the normal rabbit globulin controls. These observations were valid for three commercially available test kits and could represent a preventable cause of some unexplained false-positive tests despite the use of adequate controls.