A single step duplex PCR to distinguishEntamoeba histolyticafromEntamoeba dispar

In this study, a single-step duplex polymerase chain reaction procedure was developed for rapid, specific and sensitive identification ofEntamoeba histolyticaand for its diagnostic differentiation fromE. dispar. Specific oligonucleotide primers were combined for the amplification of a cysteine proteinase 5 gene target sequence of 242 bp, present only inE. histolytica. Additionally, another oligonucleotide primer pair for both theE. histolyticaandE. disparactin gene target of 300 bp was designed to amplify only from amoebae DNA. The PCR developed was specific and efficiently identified and differentiated these parasites from each other in either cultured parasites or from stool material.

Emerging Genetic Technologies in Clinical and Research Settings

With the rapid expansion of genomic health care, nurses are exposed to emerging genetic technologies in a wide variety of clinical and research settings; however, nurses have limited knowledge about these technologies. The polymerase chain reaction procedure, which is the foundation of current molecular genetic technologies, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and microarray analysis are described in this article. The applications, strengths, and limitations of each technology are discussed.