. 2013 Dec 17;6:94. doi: 10.1186/1756-8722-6-94

Table 1.

Common methods used in diagnosis of viral infections after transplantation

Methods	Sensitivity *	Specificity^#	Time^§	Virus	Comments
Culture	+++	++++	+	HSV, CMV, VZV, Influenza virus, RSV, PIV, adenovirus	Gold standard
Culture	+++	++++	+	HSV, CMV, VZV, Influenza virus, RSV, PIV, adenovirus	May take weeks before results return
Shell vial culture	++	+++	++	HSV, CMV, VZV, Influenza virus, RSV, PIV, adenovirus	Reduce the testing time compared with culture
Antigen detection	++	++++	++++	Most CARVs, herpesviruses, adenovirus	Quick results
Antigen detection	++	++++	++++	Most CARVs, herpesviruses, adenovirus	Poor sensitivity
PCR	++++	+++	+++	All are possible	Quick results
PCR	++++	+++	+++	All are possible	High sensitivity
Histopathology and immunohistochemistry	NA	NA	NA	All are possible	Detect viruses in tissue
Electron microscopy	++	NA	++++	All are possible	Require facility and experienced staff
Serology	NA	NA	NA	NA	Less helpful in diagnosis

* “+” –“++++” indicated low sensitivity to high sensitivity; # “+” –“++++” indicated low specificity to high specificity; § “+” –“++++” indicated long testing time to short testing time. NA indicated not applicable.