[Molecular diagnostic tests and chromosome analyses].
Molecular diagnostic tests and chromosomal analyses are often used to diagnose infectious, neoplastic and genetic diseases. However, there are only a few genetic laboratories in university hospitals in Japan because of the high cost and additional staff required for their management. In 1992, we started a genetic laboratory with one technologist in Shinshu University Hospital, and mainly performed polymerase chain reactions(PCR) for the diagnosis of several mycobacterial species, Hepatitis C virus and cytomegalovirus. Infectious diseases diagnosed by PCR have gradually increased over recent years. Chromosome analyses were available in 1996 and spectral karyotyping started from April 1999. Our genetic laboratory was staffed by 4 technologists and 3 faculty members in 1999, and they can provide informative tests with high quality. Molecular diagnostic tests were performed for 855 infectious diseases, 25 hematopoietic tumors and 8 solid tumors, while chromosome analyses were performed for 51 hereditary diseases and 29 hematopoietic tumors in 1998. Establishment of a genetic laboratory in a university hospital may not result in cost savings, but it produces a favorable influence on other laboratories. All staff can use molecular biology techniques to clarify limitations of routine tests and research.
Honda
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T
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto.
Hidaka
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E
Ueno
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I
D002875:Chromosomes; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000235:genetics*; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000235:genetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000382:microbiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000821:virology