Today, a great many infectious diseases caused by an even larger number of microorganisms become too resistant to antibiotics even of a wide spectrum of action. Therefore, modern technologies, such as ELISA and PCR analysis (polymerase chain reaction), are becoming increasingly important.
The fact is that in this study the genotype of the infectious agent is artificially increased, which allows you to accurately determine its type and, accordingly, choose a more effective medicine. The result of PCR analysis is obtained after delivery to the laboratory of the material, which can serve as scraping the epithelium of the urethra or cervix, blood, plasma, urine, sputum, biopsies of various organs. Thus, there is a study on various
sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis, HIV infection and many others. The essence of PCR analysis is the isolation of DNA fragments belonging to the causative agent of the disease, and their completion. DNA (or deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material of both microbes and higher animals. The set of nucleotides in DNA determines the uniqueness of its structure in each carrier. Unlike other methods, PCR determines the pathogen not indirectly (antibodies or waste products), but directly.
Benefits
PCR analysis has, firstly, high sensitivity (a few bacterial cells in the test material are sufficient), secondly, accuracy (i.e., the absolute elimination of false results) and, thirdly, universality (similarity of the chemical structure of the genetic material of all bacteria allows you to use laboratory tests and the definition of several pathogens from the same material). Diagnosis of contact diseases, for example those that are sexually transmitted, is increasingly carried out using the PCR method. There is a difficulty in identifying the pathogen during the
prodromal period of the disease, since only general symptoms are observed: intoxication, exanthem syndromes, etc. In such cases, as a rule, patients do not go to the doctor, and the transition of the infectious process to the late stages is very dangerous. Therefore, you should take an analysis of PCR at the first suspicion of an infectious disease. This will be a factor in effective treatment.
Main applications
This method is also important in the diagnosis of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract caused by bacteria such as E. coli or others. Their main problem is the clinical picture. However, the effect of antibiotics will depend on the clear identification of the species of a particular microorganism. The
tests for PCR
infections delivered
on time will allow this to be done with absolute accuracy. This will, in turn, prescribe appropriate therapy. Also, the PCR method, in addition to
enzyme immunoassay, is used to accurately diagnose diseases caused by hepatitis viruses. They have an incubation period of 40 to 120 days and often end in death. A PCR analysis allows you to identify diseases even in latent or subclinical forms, which will help both cure this patient and interrupt the epidemiological chain. Thus, we can safely say that this study is innovative in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.