The polymerase chain reaction - PCR is one of the most important and rapidly developing techniques for DNA analysis. It is applicable in fields of life and medical sciences, laboratory diagnostics and clinical purposes when it is necessary to detect, decode, compare or alter genetic material. This article reviews information linking PCR principles and other new methods such as reverse transcription, RT-PCR and quantitative real-time PCR advantages and limitations, and some applications, particularly in laboratory diagnostics. The method of real-time PCR was more sensitive than conventional PCR and reduced post-PCR processing. Real-time PCR is significantly superior for detection of rhinovirus in patients’ nasal aspirates. Recently real-time PCR was developed for the detection of rhinovirus.
In the present report, recent data on the role of human rhinovirus infections in the development and progression of allergy and asthma are reviewed. Rhinoviruses are not only the major cause of a lot of common cold diseases, but also are the main triggers of bronchial asthma exacerbations. The direct role of rhinoviruses in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and increased susceptibility for allergic persons to infections are not clearly investigated. Development of the fast and convenient methods for the detection and classification of most important rhinoviruses in asthma and allergic rhinitis exacerbations would complement the clinical diagnosis and speed up curing the disease as well as would decrease the costs of management, avoid not indispensable use of antibiotics and would decrease the resistance of microorganisms. Rhinoviruses serotypes are one of the dangerous for asthmatic patients, because they can induce the exacerbation of the disease.
More information is needed in High technology development programme project “Role of rhinoviruses in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases: investigation and diagnostics” funded by Lithuania State Science and Studies Foundation which we got underway. This project demonstrated the possibility to determine the role of rhinoviruses in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.
The objective of this article is to present the data about PCR, reverse transcription, RT-PCR, quantitative real-time PCR for the use in outpatient clinics and hospitals labs of Lithuania.
