methods and materials: hepatitis b virus dna was detected by conventional pcr in some of the serum samples obtained from hbsag-positive chronic hepatitis b (chb) patients who were referred to health centers of shahrekord for routine monitoring of the disease. subsequently, using real-time pcr, the dna samples were used for genotyping and analysis of resistance to lamivudine. results: the dna wa...

background cryptosporidium spp. is a widespread protozoan parasite involving humans and animals. objectives this study was carried out to evaluate the immunofluorescence assay (ifa) and pcr results for more accurate diagnosis of faecal specimens. patients and methods forty six faecal human specimens of cryptosporidium oocysts were examined by pcr and ifa in calgary, canada. in statistical analy...

background toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasitic organism causing infection in many mammals, including immunosuppressed patients. toxoplasmosis as an opportunistic infection is highly prevalent among patients receiving a kidney transplant. objectives the purpose of this study was to identify and determine the prevalence of toxoplasma gondii in clinical samples collected from patients ...

background and aims: sexually transmitted infections (stis) are of major concern to clinicians and researchers in the field of reproductive medicine. many sti pathogens cause incurable and often fatal diseases, and have been transmitted through insemination procedures. the role of herpes simplex virus in male infertility has been investigated using the sensitive methods. the aim of this study w...

This essay on the polymerase chain reaction is one of a series developed as part of FASEB's efforts to educate the general public, and the legislators whom it elects, about the benefits of fundamental biomedical research-particularly how investment in such research leads to scientific progress, improved health, and economic well-being.

Quantitative PCR assays are now the standard method for viral diagnostics. These assays must be specific, as well as sensitive, to detect the potentially low starting copy number of viral genomic material. We describe a new technique, polymerase chain displacement reaction (PCDR), which uses multiple nested primers in a rapid, capped, one-tube reaction that increases the sensitivity of normal q...

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful and widely used technique that has greatly advanced our ability to analyze genes. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) present in cells contains many thousands of genes. This makes it difficult to isolate and analyze any individual gene. PCR allows specific DNA sequences, usually corresponding to genes or parts of genes, to be copied from genomic...

PCR depends on generation of a deoxyoligonucleotide complementary to the known 3' terminus of the portion of DNA to be amplified. This is then annealed with the appropriate strand of heat-denatured DNA and used as a primer for synthesis by a DNA polymerase of a full-length complementary strand (Fig. 1). The two strands are then separated by heat denaturation and the process repeated. However, i...

conclusions the high prevalence of oxa β-lactamase and high genetic diversity of p. aeruginosa indicated that the resistance of p. aeruginosa might be expanding in our studied hospitals. background pseudomonas aeruginosa is main bacterial pathogen accountable for nosocomial infections. furthermore, it could potentially become resistant to β-lactams, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones antibiot...