Author/Editor		Poljak, M; Seme, K; Koren, S
Title		The polymerase chain reaction: a critical review of its uses and limitations in diagnostic microbiology
Type		članek
Source		Period Biol
Vol. and No.		Letnik 98, št. 2
Publication year		1996
Volume		str. 183-90
Language		eng
Abstract		Background and purpose: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is an in vitro method which uses enzymatic synthesis to amplify, exponentially, specific DNA or RNA sequences. The speed, high sensitivity and specificity of PCR technologies make them very attractive and promising tools for diagnostic microbiology. Despite many advantages there are some drawbacks and possible pitfalls of this attractive and innovative method. The present review tries to summarize some of these problems that should be considered when adjusting PCR methods for daily routine use in microbiology laboratories. Conslusions: The current lack of standardization among microbiological laboratories makes the interpretation of negative or positive PCR results hazardous in many instances. To satisfactory resolve these problems two important improvements must be made: (i) the technical evolution, simplification and standardization of the PCR process and (ii) the establishement of the new medical professionals-medical molecular microbiologists.
Descriptors		MICROBIOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION FALSE NEGATIVE REACTIONS FALSE POSITIVE REACTIONS RANDOM AMPLIFIED POLYMORPHIC DNA TECHNIQUE