Molecular Diagnostics

PCR is an in vitro method for enzymatically syn­thesizing defined sequences of DNA extracted from clinical specimens. This has been used to diagnose the presence of infectious agents in tiny quantities of ocular fluid and other parts of the body. It is a specific, sensitive and rapid technique in the identification of the pathogen in the clinical specimen. The results help the physicians and surgeons to give the specific therapy required for the treatment of the disease at the earliest time.

This lab is primarily intended to aid in diagnosis of infections in the eye and other organs in the body. We are positive that this laboratory will have a large positive impact in clinical care and research into infectious causes of eye and systemic diseases.

This lab is equipped with the state of the art PCR machines and laboratory is of WHO-GMP standards.

What is polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?

PCR is an in vitro method for enzymatically syn­thesizing defined sequences of DNA extracted from clinical specimens. This has been used to diagnose the presence of infectious agents in tiny quantities of ocular fluid and other parts of the body.
Described first in 1983 by Karry Mullis, PCR has found wide application in diagnostic microbiology and in other fields of molecular biology.

Why do we need to apply PCR as a diagnostic test to detect an infectious agent in a clinical specimen?

It is necessary to institute a specific therapy at the earliest in infectious diseases. An early specific method of diagnosis is essential for this purpose.
PCR is a more sensitive and rapid method and also specific for the infectious agent being tested for.
The results help physicians and surgeons to institute the specific therapy required for the treatment of the disease at the earliest possible time.
A negative result is likely to help the physicians to exclude a specific infectious agent as the cause of the disease process.
Nested PCRs performed at our Molecular Diagnostics laboratory for detection of infectious agents in clinical specimens.

Qualitative Nested PCR

• PCR for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (MTB)
• PCR for Eubacteria
• PCR for Pan Fungal
• Propionibacterium acne (P. acne)
• PCR for Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• PCR for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV 1 & 2)
• PCR for Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
• PCR for Hepatitis B Virus ( HBV)
• PCR for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• PCR for Chlamydia Pnemonia
• PCR for Adeno Virus

Real Time quantitative PCR

• Cytomegalo Virus Real Time PCR
• Hepatitis B Virus Real Time PCR
• Chikungunya Real Time PCR
• Dengue Real Time PCR

Our lab is equiped with State of Art Technology & followed good laboratory practice (GLP) guidelines

DNA Extraction

Amplification

Electrophoresis & Analysis of Results

Collection of clinical specimens and their transportation to the laboratory for PCR test

• Blood: collect approximately 1ml in a EDTA Vacutainer. Don’t use the Heparin.
• Other Clinical samples like CSF, Pus, Urine, Biopsies, Plural fluid, Sputum, Pericardial fluid, Genital lesions, aqueous humor, vitreous tap, corneal scrapings etc collect in a new sterile glass or plastic vials with out any transport medium.
• Clinical specimen should be transported in ice-cold container (put a ice pack along with sample and send to the laboratory through courier).