Author/Editor		Ružić-Sabljić, Eva
Title		The spirochetes - molecular diagnostics
Translated title		Molekularna diagnostika spiralnih bakterij
Type		članek
Source		In: Luzar B, Poljak M, Glavač D, et al, editors. Molekularna diagnostika v medicini. Zbornik 15. spominsko srečanje akademika Janeza Milčinskega, 36. memorialni sestanek profesorja Janeza Plečnika, 1. srečanje Slovenskega društva za humano genetiko z mednarodno udeležbo; 2005 30 nov - 2 dec; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Medicinska fakulteta,
Publication year		2005
Volume		str. 417-24
Language		eng
Abstract		Molecular methods are currently the most popular techniques for microbiological diagnosis of infection. They are widely used in spirochetal diseases, either for direct microbiological diagnosis of infection or for identification and delineation of strains within and between the species. Lyme borreliosis can be diagnosed by clinical criteria, confirmation can be ascertained by cultivation, borrelial DNA detection, or by serological testing. In contrast to culture, PCR is a rapid method. Specificity of PCR is determined mainly by the choice of specific primers or by using different methods for analyzing PCR product. A great majority of different molecular techniques were applied to assess the genetic relationships among species: DNA-DNA hybridization, rRNA restriction analysis (ribotyping), restriction fragment length polymorphism of the chromosomal DNA (e.g. pulsed-field gel electrophoresis), plasmid fingerprinting, PCR based analysis (randomly amplified DNA, species-specific PCR, and restriction, sequencing, hybridization or conformation polymorphism of PCR product). In cases of relapsing fever, direct microscopic visualization of borrelia is acceptable for microbiological diagnosis. Detection of low level spirochetemia can be difficult and may be assisted by PCR. When supported by nested PCR, the method becomes a sensible and reliable procedure for amplication in clinical specimens. Studies on relapsing fever Borrelia characterization showed high DNA-DNA similarity between the strains (greater than 70%), suggesting that these spirochetes may represent a single species. Diagnosis of leptospirosis may frequently be missed, even in typical cases. Demonstration of leptospiral DNA by PCR seems promising in the patients who present early in the course of infection before the appearance of detectable antibodies. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors		SPIROCHAETALES INFECTIONS LYME DISEASE DNA, BACTERIAL POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION LEPTOSPIROSIS SYPHILIS