How is PCR used to detect diseases?

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests are a fast, highly accurate way to diagnose certain infectious diseases and genetic changes. The tests work by finding the DNA or RNA of a pathogen (disease-causing organism) or abnormal cells in a sample.

Is PCR used for infectious diseases?

PCR technology has been widely used to detect and quantify pathogenic microorganisms that cause various infectious diseases including some arboviruses, STIs, and bacterial infection.

How is PCR used to identify bacteria and viruses?

The principle of the method is simple; when a pure PCR product of the 16S gene is obtained, sequenced, and aligned against bacterial DNA data base, then the bacterium can be identified. Confirmation of identity may follow.

How can PCR be applied to the detection of human immunodeficiency and other RNA viruses?

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are used to detect HIV’s genetic material, called RNA. These tests can be used to screen the donated blood supply and to detect very early infections before antibodies have been developed. This test may be performed just days or weeks after exposure to HIV.

How does PCR detect malaria?

PCR is an attractive addition to microscopy for confirmatory identification of Plasmodium spp. with primers targeting the Plasmodium spp. 18S rRNA genes (14). A total of 174 sets of stained blood smears and EDTA blood samples received at the CDC for routine or confirmatory malaria diagnosis were included in the study.

Can PCR be used for bacteria?

1 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applying broad range bacterial primers and combined with DNA sequencing (bacterial PCR) is a method which can be used to amplify and analyse genes coding for ribosomal RNA (16S rDNA) of most bacterial species.

How do you detect infectious diseases?

Doctors diagnose infectious diseases using a variety of laboratory tests. Samples of blood, urine, stool, mucus or other body fluids are examined and provide information used in the diagnostic process. In some cases, doctors identify infectious organisms by examining them under a microscope.

What tests are done for viral infections?

Immunofluorescence or immunoperoxidase assays are commonly used to detect whether a virus is present in a tissue sample. These tests are based on the principle that if the tissue is infected with a virus, an antibody specific to that virus will be able to bind to it.

How are viral infections diagnosed?

The traditional approaches to laboratory diagnosis of viral infections have been (1) direct detection in patient material of virions, viral antigens, or viral nucleic acids, (2) isolation of virus in cultured cells, followed by identification of the isolate, and (3) detection and measurement of antibodies in the …