title: Detection of potential microbial antigens by immuno-PCR (PCR-amplified immunoassay).
abstract: Immuno-PCR (PCR-amplified immunoassay; I-PCR) is a novel ultrasensitive method combining the versatility of ELISA with the sensitivity of nucleic acid amplification of PCR. The enormous exponential amplification power of PCR in an I-PCR assay leads to at least a 10(2)-10(4)-fold increase in sensitivity compared with an analogous ELISA. I-PCR has been used to detect many biological molecules such as proto-oncogenes, toxins, cytokines, hormones, and biomarkers for autoimmune and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as microbial antigens and antibodies, and it can be adapted as a novel diagnostic tool for various infectious and non-infectious diseases. Quantitative real-time I-PCR has the potential to become the most analytically sensitive method for the detection of proteins. The sensitivity and specificity of a real-time I-PCR assay can be enhanced further with the use of magnetic beads and nanoparticles. This review is primarily focused on the detection of potential viral, bacterial and parasitic antigens by I-PCR assay, thus enabling their application for immunological research and for early diagnosis of infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001 (Haryana), India.
authors.forename: Promod K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001 (Haryana), India.
authors.forename: Ankush
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raj
authors.affiliation: Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001 (Haryana), India.
authors.forename: Netra Pal
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh-160014, India.
authors.forename: Gopal K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Khuller
mesh_terms: D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens