Viral load preemptive monitoring in the post-transplant immunocompromised population.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), BK virus, and adenovirus cause significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals, especially in those undergoing solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Quantitative viral load testing is essential to the monitoring and treatment of disease associated with these viruses in the post-transplant period. In this review, we describe the current guidelines for viral load monitoring, highlighting the differences in testing recommendations by virus and transplant type. We also review the state of commercially available, FDA-cleared quantitative viral load assays and describe the ongoing challenges associated with quantitative viral load testing in the clinical laboratory.