LymeNet Home LymeNet Home Page LymeNet Flash Discussion LymeNet Support Group Database LymeNet Literature Library LymeNet Legal Resources LymeNet Medical & Scientific Abstract Database LymeNet Newsletter Home Page LymeNet Recommended Books LymeNet Tick Pictures Search The LymeNet Site LymeNet Links LymeNet Frequently Asked Questions About The Lyme Disease Network LymeNet Menu
LymeNet on Facebook

LymeNet on Twitter


The Lyme Disease Network receives a commission from Amazon.com for each purchase originating from this site.

When purchasing from Amazon.com, please
click here first.

Thank you.

LymeNet Flash Discussion
Dedicated to the Bachmann Family

LymeNet needs your help:
LymeNet 2020 fund drive


The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations.

LymeNet Flash Post New Topic  New Poll  Post A Reply
my profile | directory login | register | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Explanation of PCR Needed

- UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!    
Author Topic: Explanation of PCR Needed
1332Nancy
Member
Member # 7689

Icon 1 posted      Profile for 1332Nancy     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
When I first started researching Lyme, I thought I understood what the PCR. However, now that I may be getting one, I am not sure. Can anybody tell me, please? Thanks
Posts: 25 | From Crawfordville, Fl U.S. | Registered: Jul 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
shazdancer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1436

Icon 1 posted      Profile for shazdancer     Send New Private Message       Edit/Delete Post   Reply With Quote 
I am not a chemist, but I'll give it my best shot. Meanwhile, try this site for a pretty good layman's explanation:

http://www.faseb.org/opa/bloodsupply/pcr.html

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a method of multiplying a section of DNA, by chemically attaching it to a polymer (a long, uncomplicated molecule), and then having that molecule replicate itself many times over fairly quickly, retaining the attached DNA, which can then be tested.

The problems with testing for the Lyme bacteria are getting bacteria in the blood or tissue sample in the first place, and keeping them alive long enough outside the body for them to replicate into a big enough colony to test. Lyme spirochetes take a long time to reproduce. Polymers are faster.

Where the Western Blot tests for antibodies (our body's reaction to the spirochete), the PCR actually detects the for the DNA of the bacterium itself.

Hope that gets you started,
Shaz
Posts: 1558 | From the Berkshires | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

Quick Reply
Message:

HTML is not enabled.
UBB Code� is enabled.

Instant Graemlins
   


Post New Topic  New Poll  Post A Reply Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
- Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | LymeNet home page | Privacy Statement

Powered by UBB.classic™ 6.7.3

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:

The Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey
907 Pebble Creek Court, Pennington, NJ 08534 USA

| Flash Discussion | Support Groups | On-Line Library
Legal Resources | Medical Abstracts | Newsletter | Books
Pictures | Site Search | Links | Help/Questions
About LymeNet | Contact Us

© 1993-2020 The Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Use of the LymeNet Site is subject to Terms and Conditions.