Today, a great many infectious diseases caused by an even greater number of microorganisms are becoming too quickly resistant to even broad-spectrum antibiotics. Therefore, modern technologies such as ELISA and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis are becoming increasingly relevant.
The fact is that in this study, the genotype of an infectious agent is artificially increased, which makes it possible to accurately determine its type and, accordingly, to select a more effective medicine. The result of the PCR analysis is obtained after the delivery of material to the laboratory, which can be scraping of the epithelium of the urethra or cervix, blood, plasma, urine, sputum, biopsies of various organs. Thus, there is a study on various infectious diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, viral hepatitis, HIV infections and many others. The essence of the PCR analysis is the isolation of DNA fragments belonging to the pathogen and their completion. DNA (or deoxyribonucleic acid) is the genetic material of both microbes and higher animals. The set of nucleotides in DNA anddetermines 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 are enough in the test material), secondly, accuracy (i.e., the absolute exclusion of false results) and, thirdly, versatility (similarity of chemical structure of the genetic material of all bacteria allows the use of laboratory studies and the determination of several pathogens from one material). Diagnosis of contact diseases, such as those that are sexually transmitted, is increasingly carried out using the PCR method. It is difficult to identify the pathogen in the prodromal period of the disease, since only general symptoms are observed: intoxication, exanthemic syndromes, etc. In such cases, as a rule, patients do not go to the doctor, and the transition of the infectious process to the later stages is very dangerous. Therefore, a PCR test should be taken 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 Escherichia 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. Timely tests for PCR infections will allow this to be done with 100% accuracy. This will, in turn, allow appropriate therapy to be prescribed. 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 are often fatal. And PCR analysis makes it possible to detect diseases even in latent or subclinical forms, which will help both to cure this patient and to interrupt the epidemiological chain. Thus, we can safely say that this study is innovative in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.
