Polymerase Chain Reaction in Microbiology

Overview

In microbiology, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is employed above all for the detection of microbial DNA in the examined specimen. The greatest advantage of PCR is the speed and the ability to detect even the non-cultivable microbes. Therefore, it is used in situations, where classical microbiological techniques fail. PCR is also very sensitive and relatively specific. However, it is necessary to consider also possible false positivity due to contamination of the specimen or false negativity caused by the presence of inhibitors. In comparison with classical techniques the PCR for the detection of microbial nucleic acids and 2. of the use of amplification techniques for more detailed strain identification. Finally, a summary is given of application of DNA technology in other areas of medicine.

Key words:
polymerase chain reaction - microbiological diagnostics