Publication
Title
Polymerase chain-reaction amplifying DNA coding for species-specific ribosomal-rna of mycobacterium-leprae
Author
Abstract
The sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the DNA coding for the species-specific fragment of 16S rRNA of Mycobacterium leprae studied on mouse foot pad harvests and human skin biopsies varies widely between 1 and 3 x 10(4) organisms. This is probably the result of variations in the proportions of organisms with sufficiently intact DNA suitable for PCR. Preserving human skin biopsies for 3 weeks at an ambient temperature even after boiling for 6 minutes gives rise to a 10-fold decrease in sensitivity. Fixation of tissues in formol 10% or Lowy fixative or preserving in Dubos OAA broth is very harmful to the PCR, mainly due to the enhancement of an inhibitory effect on the PCR reaction. For preservation, the best choice at the moment seems to be alcohol 70%. Sample preparation of five cycles of freeze-boiling is simple and generally more efficient than proteinase K treatment and DNA extraction.
Language
English
Source (journal)
International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases / International Leprosy Association. - Manila
Publication
Manila : 1992
ISSN
0148-916X
Volume/pages
60 :2 (1992) , p. 234-243
ISI
A1992JP98000009
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.07.2012
Last edited 04.03.2024
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