Infectious diseases quantitative

The studies described here demonstrate that bDNA can be used to quantitate mRNA at physiologic levels and that the technology can also be used effectively in cell biology as well as infectious diseases. The bDNA assays do not have the sensitivity of RT-PCR assays that have been described for the same purposes, but bDNA may be better suited for truly quantitative mRNA measurements, since it does not require reverse transcription or amplification of the target sequences. 

While profound immunosuppression can lead to an increased incidence of infectious or neoplastic diseases, interpreting data from experimental immunotoxicology studies or epidemiological studies for quantitative risk assessment purposes can be problematic. This is because inadvertent exposures to immunotoxic agents may often be expressed as a mild-to-moderate change, reflected, for example, by a 15 to 25% decrement in an immune parameter compared to control values. To help address the clinical consequences of mild-to-moderate immunosuppression, we examined available experimental, clinical and epidemiological studies that examined the association between suppression of immune function and infectious disease, independent of the etiology of suppression. 

PCR, coupled with fluorescence techniques and computer technology, allows the real time amplification of DNA. This enables quantitative detection of DNA molecules that exist in minute amounts. PCR is also used widely in clinical tests. Today, routine to use PCR in the diagnosis of infectious diseases such AIDS and in a number of forensic tests. 

Despite the high social relevance of infectious diseases and widespread use of animal cell lines in vaccine production, the application of even unstructured models for quantitative analysis and parameter estimation has not been common practice in bioprocess optimization. So far, research concerning influenza vaccine production in MDCK cell cultures has focused on the characterization of metabolism, growth of different cell lines and virus yields in various production systems [1,2]. 

NCCLS MM-3rA Molecular Diagnostic Methods for Infectious Diseases MMv6 A Quantitative Molecular Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases MM-IO-P Genotyping www.ncds.org... 

NCCLS. Quantitative molecular methods for infectious diseases approved guideline. Vol. 23 (28). Wayne, Pa NCCLS, 2003 1-55,... 

Nucleic acid amplification methods are now considered a standard laboratory tool. They have had a tremendous impact on the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. These highly sensitive methods have the capability to detect and quantitate minute amounts of target nucleic acid in a rapid manner. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)... 

There is need for portable field testing systems to perform DNA typing, microbial forensics, and ensure pubhc health. For example, point-of-use systems are needed to determine the presence of microorganisms that are potentially harmful to humans [256]. These applications would benefit from a portable microsystem that could provide robust, quantitative analyses for the detection of infectious diseases or analyze DNA forensic samples in a timely manner. 

From the observation point of today, there can be no doubt that arsphenamine, with all its faults, was the opening event in the chemotherapeutic revolution which transformed all treatment of infectious diseases. This happy result owes much to Ehrlich s quantitative approach. 

What is perhaps not so apparent is that the reverse influence is also increasingly evident. The excellent reviews of Treffers (137) and of Kabat (62, 63) have emphasized the usefulness of quantitative immunochemical methods as an aid in solving problems in protein chemistry. The present review on certain proteins elaborated by pathogenic bacteria will also attempt to stress some of the problems, solution of which may increase our general knowledge of the chemistry of proteins, as well as of infectious disease processes. The methods developed for detection and measurement of the many biologically active proteins are often so sensitive and specific that chemical changes in protein structure may be indicated of which we would otherwise be unaware. 

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