Utility of cytomegalovirus (CMV) qualitative polymerase chain reaction from gastrointestinal biopsies in diagnosis of CMV gastrointestinal disease: A 10-year retrospective study

CMV tissue PCR correctly identified CMV GI disease in 100 % of histology-proven cases. Specificity was poor, likely reflecting detection of viral shedding. Overall, our study suggests that CMV tissue PCR should be reserved to rule out CMV GI disease in high pre-test probability settings (e.g. patients with known risk factors and compatible symptoms).