The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique widely used in molecular biology. It derives its name from one of its key components, a DNA polymerase used to amplify a piece of DNA by in vitro enzymatic replication. As PCR progresses, the DNA thus generated is itself used as template for replication. This sets in motion a chain reaction in which the DNA template is exponentially amplified.

With PCR it is possible to amplify a single or few copies of a piece of DNA across several orders of magnitude, generating millions or more copies of the DNA piece.
PCR testing therefore allows for accurate diagnosis of underlying conditions which may not be currently clinically active but have a likely hood of developing in the future.

The method Redlabs uses to screen for these pathogens is polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

PCR consists in the selective amplification of a given DNA sequence from a pathogen’s genome. PCR is usually more sensitive than serological detection; also, PCR indicates a current infection: pathogen is detected only if it is still present in the tested tissue, whereas antibodies can be detected even if the pathogen itself has actually disappeared.

Sample requirement:

PCR can be performed from blood, sputum, or from a biopsy. Conditions for sample collection and shipment are as follows:

- For blood samples: 2 ml blood in EDTA tube. Stable for 24 hours. For longer periods freeze and ship at -20°C/-80°C.

- For biopsies: put biopsy in a sterile, dry tube (no buffer or fixative of any kind). Freeze at -20°C/-80°C within 6 hours.

- For sputum: sample in a sterile, dry tube (no buffer or fixative of any kind). Stable for 20 hours. For longer periods freeze at -20°C/-80°C.

PCRs for West Nile virus (WENV), Coxsackie virus (COXV) and Enterovirus (ENTV) require special collection tubes and procedures. Please contact us for more information.

Redlabs offers detection of the following pathogens:

• Human herpesvirus 6 (includes detection of chromosomal integration)
• Human herpesvirus 7
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Cytomegalovirus
• Parvovirus B19
• Brucella spp.
• Mycoplasma pneumoniae
• Chlamydia pneumoniae
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Enterovirus
• West Nile virus

Source: http://www.redlabs.be/red-labs/our-tests/pcr-based-assays.php