Improved Dried Blood Spot PCR Assay for Universal Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screening in Newborns
Jean Kim, Veronica Robles, Kristin E. D. Weimer, Lisa M. Gehtland, Katerina S. Kucera
Abstract
Implementation of screening for cCMV in public health programs is hindered by feasibility challenges, including limited specimen availability and an insufficiently sensitive DBS-based screening assay. We report on efforts to improve the currently available DBS-based molecular assay to increase its feasibility of implementation in newborn screening programs. Although the analytical sensitivity of the modified methods was similar at the lower IU, equivalent CMV detection was achieved using one punch instead of the required three punches for the reference method. This reduction in sample size has the potential to substantially improve feasibility of NBS for cCMV. A population-based study is needed to further evaluate the clinical sensitivity of the improved assay.