Testing methods
We conduct all tests based on modern
methods of molecular biology such as: PCR, RFLP, Real-time
PCR and sequential analysis
DNA. These methods are standards in modern diagnostics and they indicate
directions of its development. They provide necessary and objective results
allowing us to identify clearly individual pathogens in an easy and quick way. Thanks
to them, we can also establish a profile of specific regions of human DNA responsible
for genetic diseases, susceptibility to cancers or defining individual
relationship.
PCR i.e. polymerase chain reaction
is the most sensitive known analytical method. Benefits resulting from
conducting of the diagnostic test using PCR method include, among other things:
- sensitivity – incomparable with
other diagnostic methods – enables diagnosis of the infection at
a very early stage regardless of antibody presence;
- certainty – we always obtain an undoubted
result – without unclear or intermediate results on the border of test
sensitivity. In addition, the possibility of creating falsely
negative (in approx. 10% of the virus carriers no antibodies
develop in spite of the infection) and falsely positive results
(appearance of antibodies is not always an evidence of the existing
infection – they may appear e.g. after receiving of a vaccination or they
may remain in the organism for many years after elimination of microorganism. Apart from this, this
test is independent of the presence of other pathogens – no cross
reactions take place.) are limited to an absolute minimum;
- possibility of direct
identification of microorganisms – presence of genetic material (DNA or RNA)
of the microorganism (bacteria, virus, protozoan etc.) is tested. It is
also important that the clinical material can be taken directly from the
place changed by the disease which gives a chance of recognising a local
pathogenic factor (ulceration, so called erosion etc.);
- possibility of simultaneous identification
of several pathogens during one test;
- non-invasive or low-invasive sampling of
the material for testing and the possibility of controlling quality of any
sampled material;
The real-time PCR is a variant of
the conventional PCR method and enables analysis of the product volume growth
in real time. Additional diagnostic benefits of the test conducted using this
method are mainly as follows:
- possibility of determining the number of
the microorganism copies in the sampled material which is one of the most
important tools for monitoring effectiveness of the applied therapy and
condition of the patient before and after treatment. It allows us to
control progress of treatment and reduction of its costs;
shortening the time of analysis and waiting for the
result which is particularly important during testing of pathogenic
microorganisms where the time of making the diagnosis is often a key factor.
