Multiplex polymerase chain reaction

About: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6409 publications have been published within this topic receiving 221244 citations.

Detection of coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli by multiplex polymerase chain reaction: comparison with defined substrate and plating methods for water quality monitoring.

Abstract: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene probe detection of target lacZ and uidA genes were used to detect total coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli, respectively, for determining water quality. In tests of environmental water samples, the lacZ PCR method gave results statistically equivalent to those of the plate count and defined substrate methods accepted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for water quality monitoring and the uidA PCR method was more sensitive than 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucuronide-based defined substrate tests for specific detection of E. coli.

Identification and characterization of Bacillus anthracis by multiplex PCR analysis of sequences on plasmids pXO1 and pXO2 and chromosomal DNA

Abstract: Bacillus anthracis can be identified on the basis of the detection of virulence factor genes located on two plasmids, pXO1 and pXO2. Thus isolates lacking both pXO1 and pXO2 are indistinguishable from closely related B. cereus group bacteria. We developed a multiplex PCR assay for characterization of B. anthracis isolates, and simultaneous confirmation of the species identity independent of plasmid content. The assay amplifies lef, cya, pag (pXO1) and cap (pXO2) genes, and a B. anthracis specific chromosomal marker, giving an easy-to-read profile. This system unambiguously identified virulent (pXO1+/2+) and avirulent (pXO1+/2−, pXO1−/2+ and pXO1−/2−) strains of B. anthracis and distinguished ‘anthrax-like’ strains from other B. cereus group bacteria.

Accurate diagnosis of carriers of deletions and duplications in Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy by fluorescent dosage analysis.

Abstract: We have developed a semiautomated approach to amplify 25 exons of the dystrophin gene using two fluorescent multiplex PCR assays which detect over 98% of reported deletions and 90% of duplications causing Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy. The 5' multiplex detects 11 exons from the proximal deletion hotspot of the gene while the 3' multiplex detects 14 exons from the central deletion hotspot. The PCR products are accurately sized and quantified by a fluorescent DNA sequencer after only 18 cycles of amplification. The amount of product amplified from each exon in a multiplex is divided by that from each of the other exons, and this ratio is compared with those from control samples to obtain a series of dosage quotients (DQ), from which the copy number of each exon is determined. No overlap was observed between the DQ values obtained from single and double copy loci. The assays can be used to screen both affected males and at risk female relatives for a mutation. The method has been evaluated as a female carrier test by conducting a blind trial on 150 coded samples. Sixty-three deletion carriers, two duplication carriers, and 84 normal female controls were all correctly identified, showing that carrier diagnosis is possible even in families where the nature of the mutation is unknown. Additionally the analysis showed a non-pathogenic duplication involving the muscle specific promoter and exon 1. Together these two multiplex assays detect over 70% of all mutations in the dystrophin gene, greatly simplifying and partly automating molecular diagnosis in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.