Abstracts

Joint Scientific Seminar on Laboratory Accreditation ¡V An update of the Vanderbilt Molecular Infectious Disease Laboratory (15th March 2002)

The seminar was delivered by Dr Yi-Wei Tang, Director, Molecular Epidemiology Section and Molecular Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, Nashville, USA.

The seminar covered the techniques for Amplification Products Detection and Analysis: (1) Gel electrophoresis with or without Southern blotting, (2) Colorimetric microtiter plate (MTP)-Chemiluminescence, (3) Direct amplicon sequencing, (4) Matrix hybridization, and (5) Simultaneous amplification and detection (¡§Real-time¡¨).

Currently used Amplicon Detection Systems in Molecular Infectious Disease Laboratory included (1) Colorimetric Microtiter Plate PCR Systems, (2) Quantitative real-time PCR Systems, and (3) PCR Followed by Direct Sequencing Systems.

Dr. Tang specified the Characteristics of Colorimetric Microtiter Plate PCR System: (1) take a short cut, (2) simple, quick, and user-friendly (3) ”one stone for many birds¡¨, (4) qualification and quantitation, (5) amplification of DNA and/or RNA, (6) carryover contamination control, (7) high sensitivity and specificity, and (8) automation potential.

Quantitative Real-Time PCR Systems may be applied for diagnosis of recent infection from the past infection was (1) Cytomegalovirus quantitation and (2) Epstein-Barr virus quantitation.

The use of PCR Followed by Direct Sequencing were (1) HIV drug resistance mutation detection and (2) Hepatitis C virus genotyping.

Finally, Dr, Tang pointed out the status of molecular infectious disease laboratory, (1) exclusive (I am the only one!), (2) high sensitivity and specificity, (3) quantitation at DNA or RNA levels, (4) short test turnaround time, (5) user-friendly and cost-effective (yes!), (6) beyond microorganisms, and (7) beyond infectious diseases.

He also pointed out the problems/challenges of molecular infectious disease laboratory, (1) false positives (contamination), (2) false negatives (inhibitors), (3) ¡§too specific¡¨ (it is your call!), (4) standardization, (5) costs (capital ventures?) and (6) clinical interpretation.

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