title: Polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic tool.
abstract: Although the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is technical, the concept is simple: PCR is a sequential process that explores a sample for the presence of a known sequence of DNA or RNA. Chapter sections cover specific applications of PCR to infectious diseases with rheumatic manifestations.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Keenan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis