title: ["Arbitrarily primed PCR". Or: chance in the service of science].
abstract: "Arbitrarily primed PCR" (AP-PCR) methods are based on the amplification of DNA with arbitrarily selected primers. In the present review article two selected applications of this methodical approach are summarized. Using the RAPD ("Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA") technique the genetic variability of different organisms can be analyzed by generating a genomic fingerprint. Echinococcus granulosus isolates (metacestodes) from Spain and Switzerland were comparatively characterized by the use of this molecular epidemiological tool. The following groups of genetically related isolates could be identified: (a) equine isolates (horse/donkey) from Spain and Switzerland, (b) cattle isolates from Switzerland, (c) goat isolates from Spain and pig isolates from both countries, (d) sheep, cattle and human isolates from Spain. Isolates derived from Swiss patients were forming a separate group with respect to their genetic relatedness. As a further application of the AP-PCR, the development of a novel technique for the construction of cDNA libraries from minute amounts of starting material using an Echinococcus multilocularis metacestode library as an example is presented.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Parasitologie der Universität Bern.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Felleisen
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gottstein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018397:Equidae; D006734:Horse Diseases; D006736:Horses; D051379:Mice; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D019105:Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases
vernacular_title: "Arbitrarily primed-PCR". Oder: der Zufall im Dienst der Forschung.