Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Powerful Diagnostic Tool

Author(s):  
Vijay A. Varma ◽  
David Swan
2021 ◽  
Vol 181 ◽  
pp. 113155
Author(s):  
Martina Gaňová ◽  
Haoqing Zhang ◽  
Hanliang Zhu ◽  
Marie Korabečná ◽  
Pavel Neužil

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 3004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen A. Bustin ◽  
Tania Nolan

Testing for the presence of coronavirus is an essential diagnostic tool for monitoring and managing the current COVID-19 pandemic. The only reliable test in current use for testing acute infection targets the genome of SARS-CoV-2, and the most widely used method is quantitative fluorescence-based reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Despite its ubiquity, there is a significant amount of uncertainty about how this test works, potential throughput and reliability. This has resulted in widespread misrepresentation of the problems faced using this test during the current COVID-19 epidemic. This primer provides simple, straightforward and impartial information about RT-qPCR.


Infection ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Brecelj ◽  
F. Pikelj ◽  
F. Gubenšek ◽  
G. Anderluh

Author(s):  
Anja Šterbenc ◽  
Maja M. Lunar ◽  
Matjaž Homan ◽  
Boštjan Luzar ◽  
Nina Zidar ◽  
...  

Various polymerase chain reaction- (PCR-) based methods with varying positivity rates were designed to detect the Helicobacter pylori babA2 gene. To compare different primer sets, babA2 prevalence was determined in 279 H. pylori-positive pediatric samples using the 832 bp, 139 bp, and 271 bp PCR primer sets, resulting in 34.0%, 51.3%, and 79.6% prevalence of the babA2 gene, respectively. The babA2 status determined using the 832 bp and 139 bp PCR primer sets significantly correlated with bacterial density and activity of inflammation, whereas no such correlations were found using the 271 bp PCR primer set. The 139 and 832 bp PCR primer sets concordantly detected the babA2 gene in 93 cases; however, in comparison to the 832 bp PCR primer set, the 139 bp PCR primer set detected additional 50 babA2 cases, whereas only two 832 bp positive cases were missed. The 271 bp PCR primer set missed 32 babA2 cases that were 832 bp and/or 139 bp PCR positive, but tested solely positive in 109 cases. Interestingly, cloning of a subset of 271 bp PCR positive samples revealed amplification of the babA/B gene chimera. Hence, in our opinion, the 271 bp PCR protocol is not a reliable diagnostic tool for detecting the babA2 gene in children. Our results reaffirm previous observations that the use of certain babA2 PCR primer sets can significantly impact estimation of the prevalence and clinical relevance of the H. pylori babA2 gene in children, suggesting babA2 detection methods should be carefully selected.


2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-321
Author(s):  
Ya Bin Zhou ◽  
Gong Jie Zhang ◽  
Ying Gai Song ◽  
Li Na Sun ◽  
Ya Hong Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Although Trichoderma species are usually considered to be culture contaminants, an increasing number of case reports have demonstrated their pathogenicity. Current diagnostic tools, including fungal culture, radiology, histopathology, and direct microscopy examination, are often unable to differentiate the pathogenicity of ‘fungal contaminants’ such as Trichoderma species in patients. Accurate diagnostic tools for ‘fungal contaminants’ infection have become the urgent needs. To that end, we applicated laser capture microdissection (LCM) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm T. longibrachiatum infection for the first time. A 57-year-old man presented with a cough and hemoptysis lasting for more than 40 days. Computed tomography scan revealed a mass at the left hilum. In addition to pulmonary spindle cell carcinoma, fungal hyphae were also detected in histopathological examination. The cultured fungus was identified as T. longibrachiatum using molecular procedures. The results from DNA sequencing of DNA obtained by LCM revealed the identical result. Antifungal susceptibility testing revealed resistance to itraconazole, fluconazole and flucytosine. The patient was managed with oral voriconazole for 4 months. No relapse of Trichoderma infection was observed at a year follow-up visit. Although there are potential disadvantages, LCM-based molecular biology technology is a promising diagnostic tool for ‘fungal contaminants’ infection.


1999 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giordano Dicuonzo ◽  
Giulia Lorino ◽  
Daniela Lilli ◽  
Daniela Rivanera ◽  
Paola Guarino ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-228
Author(s):  
Yu-Hua Huang ◽  
Cheng-Ching Lin ◽  
Cai-Ling Jhao ◽  
Yu-Lin Yang ◽  
Tao-Chen Lee

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document