Abstract
Rapid Chelex extraction combined with an automated hybridization assay for the detection of PCR-amplified human cytomegalovirus DNA from cerebrospinal fluid was established. Quantitation of DNA was performed with a plasmid being used as an external standard. The detection limit was 10 copies per microliter. Quantitative detection of human cytomegalovirus DNA could be achieved over a range from 10 to 10(4) copies per microliter.