Rapid Determination of Sexually Transmitted Infections by Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction Using Microchip Analyzer

O Suvorova,A Perchik,М N Slyadnev ,N Mushnikov,Denis V Navolotskii

doi:10.4236/eng.2012.410b001

Abstract

Development of non expensive and time-saving techniques based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is of great importance for modern diagnostics. We considered a new approach for PCR determination of a variety of sexually transmitted infections using microchip analyzer “AriaDNA”, which had been tested using clinical samples in several medical institutions of St. Petersburg (Russia). The use of microchips containing lyophilized PCR reagents allows reducing significantly time of analysis and the number of manipulations thus preventing possible sample contamination.

Highlights

Transmitted diseases (STDs) are common for modern society
We considered a new approach for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) determination of a variety of sexually transmitted infections using microchip analyzer “AriaDNA”, which had been tested using clinical samples in several medical institutions of St
Specificity can be achieved by accurate selection of a DNA fragment to be amplified with the correct primers and probes selection

Summary

Introduction

Transmitted diseases (STDs) are common for modern society. According to the World Health Organization, 448 million new cases of different sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are registered each year. The number of laboratories to perform STIs analyzes increases significantly, it is challenge of modern diagnostics to develop new approaches for rapid screening of samples. The development of molecular biology methods has allowed significant progress in diagnostics of STDs. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is usually used to detect and identify pathogens (e.g. pathogenic microorganisms, fungi and viruses). PCR system’s miniaturization is one of the attractive directions for medical device development, which decrease analysis time, consumption of expensive reagents and improve the sensitivity. We propose a new approach to miniaturize rt-PCR system, which allows to simplify automation, reduce analysis time and the number of manual operations. In the designed system, all necessary reagents for PCR are lyophilized in microreactor cells of the microchip

The Lyophilization of PCR Reagents

PCR Instrumentation

Results