Product performance |
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meridol Perio Diagnostics – Real-Time PCR for the quantitative determination of the six most important marker organisms of periodontitis and peri-implantitis and the total bacterial load. |
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Range of microorganisms: |
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These organisms are seen as significant markers for the triggering of pathological processes.
meridol Perio Diagnostics combines high specificity with high sensitivity and a precise quantification. The detection limit, at 100 bacterial cells per type of pathogen, is far below the limits of methods available hitherto. |
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Total bacterial load |
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In addition to determination of the periodontal pathogens, the total bacterial load is determined. Determination of the total bacterial load permits an estimate of the total microbiological situation in the periodontal or peri-implantary pocket with consequences for therapy. |
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Quantification |
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Reliable quantification of bacterial counts is important for efficient planning and monitoring of periodontal treatment. The aim of treatment is either complete elimination of the bacteria involved in the course of the disease or a clear reduction in their numbers. |
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Technology: Real-Time PCR |
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Real-Time PCR permits reliable and precise quantification of bacteria in the subgingival sample, whilst simultaneously providing high specificity and sensitivity. The isolated and purified bacterial DNA (genetic information) represents the starting point for further steps. The conventional PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a molecular biological method for the detection of minimal amounts of DNA. An enzyme (Taq polymerase) duplicates the species specific genetic fragments (target sequences). For each target sequence, specific primers (short DNA fragments) are used as the starting point for the Taq polymerase. The exponential process synthesises numerous copies of the target sequence. The result of the reaction can be visualised by means of further laboratory measures, e.g. gel electrophoresis. However, conventional PCR with determination of the end point only provides very restricted information on the number of bacteria present in the sample. Reliable quantification of bacterial counts is not possible.
In contrast with this, the Real-Time PCR permits precise quantification of the target sequences. Direct recording of the reaction process of amplification allows determination of the precise bacterial numbers in the sample in question.
In addition to the specific primers the Real-Time PCR uses a further species-specific DNA fragment (TaqMan probe). This TaqMan probe binds within the target sequence. This additional probe guarantees the high specificity of the method. During duplication of the target sequence, the TaqMan probe is split off from the target sequence and destroyed by the exonuclease activity of the Taq polymerase. In this breakdown of the probe, a fluorescent signal is released which is measured online and immediately recorded by means of automatic laser detection in the reactor vessel. The intensity of the fluorescent signal is thus a measure of the amount of the product formed, and is directly proportional to the initial amount of the periodontal pathogen in the patient samples. In contrast to conventional PCR procedures, Real-Time PCR renders further stages of work in the laboratory unnecessary. |
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