Table 5.

Test characteristics different diagnostic tools for cytomegalovirus

Test	Pro	Con	Sens	Spec
Serology	Fast, quantification possible	Systemic, not proving intestinal disease;	98%-100%	96%-99%
Antigenemia	Fast, quantification possible	Systemic, not proving intestinal disease labor intensive	60%-100%	83%-100%
Serum PCR	Fast, quantification possible	Systemic, not proving intestinal disease	65%-100%	40%-94%
HE Histology (gold standard?)	Specific, proofs intestinal disease	Slow; low sensitivity	10%-87%	92%-100%
Histology with IHC	Specific, proofs intestinal disease	Slow	93%	92%-100%
Tissue PCR	Quantification possible	Cut-off point unclear, uncertain clinical significance	65%-100%	40%-100%
Stool PCR	Quantification possible	Little experience	83%%	93%
Viral Culture	Very specific	Very slow	45%-78%	89%-100%
Rapid Vial culture	Very specific	Little experience	68%-100%	89%-100%

Sens: Sensitivity; Spec: Specificity; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; HE: Hematoxylin and eosin staining; IHC: Immunohistochemistry.