PCR Test

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PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing is a fast & sensitive laboratory test to detect & amplify (copy) DNA or RNA (or remnants of them) in a specimen & can be used to find out exactly what kind of infection (bacteria, virus or fungus)  is present. It can be useful to determine the cause of AIHA in some instances.

PCR testing can also detect & diagnose early signs of malignant diseases such as lymphoma & leukemia. It is also used to diagnose hereditary diseases & has huge potential in the field of cancer research & diagnosis. PCR is used for cloning, also for studying genetic material, in forensic pathology & in paternity suits.

PCR is a relatively expensive test, but is widely available & extremely accurate unless contaminants are present.

By altering the temperature of the specimen, PCR basically unwinds or untwists DNA strands (double helix) & then replicates that DNA using primers (pieces of DNA made in the lab). Primers can only attach themselves to existing pieces of DNA. Sometimes just RNA or DNA remnants are present. These can also be replicated. This enables the laboratory to determine exactly what the sample contains from it’s genetic signature or profile.

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