Design considerations and effects of LNA in PCR primers

The effects of comprehensive LNA substitution in PCR primers for amplification of human genomic DNA targets are presented in this report. Previous research with LNA in other applications has shown interesting properties for molecular hybridization including enhanced specificity in allele-specific PCR. Here we systematically modified PCR primers and conditions for the human genomic DNA targets APOB and PAH, along with a beta-globin amplification control, to study whether the number and position of LNA residues improves or diminishes amplification sensitivity and specificity. It was observed that the design rules for LNA substitution in PCR primers are complex and depend upon number, position and sequence context. Technical advantages were seen when compared to DNA controls for the best LNA primer designs, which were typically one to a few centrally located LNA residues. LNA advantages include increased maximum annealing temperature (Tmax) and increased signal with limiting primer or Taq DNA polymerase. Several well-characterized designs exhibited different efficiencies with different brands of hot-start enzymes. Many shorter LNA primers were found to be functional compared to same-length non-functional native DNA controls. These results show that LNA-substituted PCR primers have potential for use in difficult PCR techniques, such as multiplex amplification at higher Tmax, once firm LNA primer design rules are established.     

Detection of Plasmodium falciparum and Wuchereria bancrofti infected blood samples using multiplex PCR

A rapid and sensitive multiplex PCR has been developed for the diagnosis of multiple parasitic infection in human blood. Infection is detected by a single multiplex PCR reaction containing two pairs of oligonucleotide primers whereby each primer is specific for each parasite species. These primer sets amplified 400 and 450-bp fragments for Wuchereria bancrofti and 208-bp fragment for Plasmodium falciparum. The PCR products derived from each parasite species were visualized in ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels, therefore allowing the rapid identification of any, or all, of the two human parasites, if present, in a single amplification reaction. This multiplex PCR was very sensitive with the ability to detect the presence of as little as 10 pg of parasite DNA. The primers used in this multiplex PCR also showed highly specific amplification of each respective parasite DNA without the presence of non-specific and non-target PCR products. This multiplex PCR system was used to analyse 36 human blood samples of Myanmar workers in the endemic area at Tak Province, Thailand. Two samples showed the multiple infection, 27 samples were either infected with W. bancrofti or P. falciparum and seven samples were negative for both methods. The high sensitivity, specificity and rapidity of this multiplex PCR method make it suitable for large-scale epidemiological studies and following of drug treatment.     

Comparison of quantitative competitive polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with LightCycler-based polymerase chain reaction for measuring cytomegalovirus DNA in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Development of highly sensitive quantitative assays for cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA detection is crucial for identification of immunodeficient patients at high risk of CMV disease. We designed 2 internally controlled competitive quantitative assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, using amplification of the same segment of the CMV genome. The aim of this study was to compare sensitivity, specificity, and laboratory performance characteristics of these assays. In both assays, a 159-bp segment of UL83 gene was amplified. External and internal controls were constructed by cloning the amplification product and heterogenous DNA segment flanked by target sequences for CMV-derived primers into bacterial plasmids, respectively. Real-time PCR was performed on LightCycler (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany), and amplicons were detected using fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes. Alternatively, PCR products were labeled by digoxigenin, hybridized to immobilized probes, and detected by ELISA. The assays were tested on genomic DNA isolated from laboratory strains of CMV, QCMD control panel, and CMV DNA-positive peripheral blood DNA samples from hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, previously characterized by pp65 antigenemia and qualitative nested PCR. Real-time and ELISA-based PCR assays showed a linear course of 1-10(8) and 10-10(5) copies of CMV DNA per reaction, respectively. When compared with ELISA-based PCR, real-time PCR showed superiority in inter- and intra-assay reproducibility. Both assays were highly specific in detecting CMV DNA. No difference in amplification efficiency of internal or external standards and wild-type CMV DNA was found. The assays exhibited 83% concordance in CMV DNA detection from clinical samples, all discrepant samples having low CMV DNA copy numbers. There was a good correlation between viral DNA loads measured by the 2 assays. Statistically significant correlation was observed between the numbers of CMV DNA copies and pp65-positive leukocytes in the samples tested. Both variants of competitive PCR are adequately sensitive to be used for CMV DNA quantitation in clinical samples. LightCycler PCR, having superior performance characteristics and being less time-consuming, seems to be more suitable for routine diagnosis.     

鼠疫多重荧光定量PCR内标检测方法的建立与应用评价

  目的  建立一种鼠疫多重荧光定量PCR内标检测方法,并进行应用效果评价。  方法  选择鼠疫菌染色体YPO0393基因与pMT1质粒caf1基因为靶基因,设计合成YPO0393-内标模板、特异性引物和TaqMan荧光探针,构建鼠疫多重荧光定量PCR内标检测体系;对非鼠疫菌DNA、不同稀释浓度鼠疫菌DNA、野外监测样本进行检测,评价该方法的特异性、灵敏性、重复性和应用效果。  结果  采用多重荧光定量PCR内标方法,8株鼠疫菌DNA均出现明显的扩增曲线,12株非鼠疫菌DNA未显示扩增曲线,提示该方法特异性良好。 不同浓度的鼠疫EV76疫苗株DNA,检测最低限为22.5×10?4 ng/μL,变异系数为0.99～3.42,提示灵敏性、重复性较好。 105份野外监测样本中,荧光定量PCR内标方法检测阳性的6份,与普通PCR方法检测结果一致,4份样本分离培养出鼠疫菌且采用PCR方法检测阳性。  结论  通过设置双靶基因与内标对照,本研究建立的鼠疫多重荧光定量PCR内标方法可降低检测假阳性率,特异性、灵敏性和重复性理想,可用于鼠疫快速检测。     

Multiplex polymerase chain reaction: a practical approach

Considerable time and effort can be saved by simultaneously amplifying multiple sequences in a single reaction, a process referred to as multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Multiplex PCR requires that primers lead to amplification of unique regions of DNA, both in individual pairs and in combinations of many primers, under a single set of reaction conditions. In addition, methods must be available for the analysis of each individual amplification product from the mixture of all the products. Multiplex PCR is becoming a rapid and convenient screening assay in both the clinical and the research laboratory. The development of an efficient multiplex PCR usually requires strategic planning and multiple attempts to optimize reaction conditions. For a successful multiplex PCR assay, the relative concentration of the primers, concentration of the PCR buffer, balance between the magnesium chloride and deoxynucleotide concentrations, cycling temperatures, and amount of template DNA and Taq DNA polymerase are important. An optimal combination of annealing temperature and buffer concentration is essential in multiplex PCR to obtain highly specific amplification products. Magnesium chloride concentration needs only to be proportional to the amount of dNTP, while adjusting primer concentration for each target sequence is also essential. The list of various factors that can influence the reaction is by no means complete. Optimization of the parameters discussed in the present review should provide a practical approach toward resolving the common problems encountered in multiplex PCR (such as spurious amplification products, uneven or no amplification of some target sequences, and difficulties in reproducing some results). Thorough evaluation and validation of new multiplex PCR procedures is essential. The sensitivity and specificity must be thoroughly evaluated using standardized purified nucleic acids. Where available, full use should be made of external and internal quality controls, which must be rigorously applied. As the number of microbial agents detectable by PCR increases, it will become highly desirable for practical purposes to achieve simultaneous detection of multiple agents that cause similar or identical clinical syndromes and/or share similar epidemiological features.     

Discrimination of rat-derived Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. Carinii and Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. Ratti using the polymerase chain reaction

The rat model of Pneumocystis carinii infection is widely used for the study of this non-culturable pathogen. Two genetically divergent of the organism have been detected in infected rat lungs, P. carinii formae specialis carinii and P. carinii formae specialis ratti, in some cases as a co-infection. We have developed a simple and rapid method to analyse rat-derived P. carinii samples, based on DNA amplification of a portion of the gene encoding the mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA. A pair of oligonucleotide primers were designed for each special form of rat-derived P. carinii, the RC primer pair amplifying a 137 bp fragment from P. carinii f. sp. carinii DNA and the RR primer pair amplifying a 251 bp fragment from P. carinii f. sp. ratti DNA. The specificity of the primers was confirmed by sequencing the amplification products. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was consistent with, and more sensitive than, the electrophoretic karyotype method. The application of the specific PCR technique has implications for future studies on epidemiology, drug sensitivity, immunology and molecular biology of rat-derived P. carinii.     

Development of a specific and sensitive diagnostic PCR for rapid molecular authentication of the medicinal plant Portulaca oleracea

Adulteration by Bacopa monnieri (BM) in Portulaca oleracea (PO) plants frequently occurs; it decreases the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and leads to fraud in the herbal marketplace. In this study, a diagnostic PCR assay was established for the rapid authentication of PO and BM in the herbal market. The sequence divergences in internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) between PO and its adulterant species were used to design diagnostic PCR primers. The specific designed primer sets were evaluated and show that the diagnostic PCR assay can be used to verify the authenticity of PO and BM. The detection limits of the primer set for PO and BM identification were 10 pg and 1 pg, respectively. The reactivity of diagnostic PCR was 0.1% PO genomic DNA and 0.01% BM genomic DNA in the test sample during DNA amplification. In addition, multiplex PCR (mPCR) for PO and BM identification was also established. The samples were more susceptible to the effect of steaming in authentication by singleplex PCR and mPCR than boiling and drying treatment. Furthermore, commercial samples from the market were used to demonstrate the applicability of the developed diagnostic PCR for PO authentication and diagnose BM adulteration, and the investigation found that approximately 72.2% (13/18) of PO plants in the herbal market were adulterated. In conclusion, the diagnostic PCR assay was successfully developed and its specificity, sensitivity and reactivity for PO and BM authentication were proven. These developed PCR-based molecular methods can be applied as an identification tool for PO authenticity and can be practically applied for inspection of BM adulteration in the herbal market in the future.     

Multiplex PCR amplification and immobilized capture probes for detection of bacterial pathogens and indicators in water

Detection of pathogens (Legionella species) and indicator bacteria (coliform bacteria) was achieved by multiplex (simultaneous) PCR amplification of diagnostic gene sequences and by hybridization to immobilized poly-dT-tailed capture probes using a dot- or slot-blot approach. Complex manipulations of primer concentrations and staggered additions of primers were required in order to achieve equal amplification of multiple genes. Multiplex PCR amplification of two different Legionella genes, one specific for L. pneumophila (mip) and the other for the genus Legionella (5S rRNA), was achieved by staggered amplification. Multiplex PCR amplification using differing amounts of primers specific for lacZ and lamB genes permitted the detection of coliform bacteria and those associated with human faecal contamination, including the indicator bacterial species E. coli and enteric pathogens Salmonella and Shigella. Hybridization of biotin-labelled amplified DNA, in which the biotin was incorporated during PCR amplification from biotinylated-dUTP, to immobilized 400-dT-tailed capture probes permitted specific and sensitive detection of target gene sequences. The sensitivity of colorimetric detection achieved by PCR amplification of target DNA was at a level equivalent to 1-2 bacterial cells, which is the same level of sensitivity obtained with radioactive detection. The simultaneous amplification of several genes and hybridization to immobilized capture probes with colorimetric detection is an effective, efficient and rapid detection method for various human bacterial pathogens.     

PCR primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene for the specific detection of streptomycetes

Streptomycetes are filamentous actinobacteria commonly found in soil and biotechnically important, but they also have adverse effects on human health. In this work, two primer pairs, StrepB/StrepE and StrepB/StrepF combined with Bst YI restriction endonuclease digestion, targeting the 16S rRNA gene of streptomycetes were designed. The specificity of the primers was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from Streptomyces strains and near relatives. All streptomycetes tested positive and non-streptomycetes were not amplified except three strains that, however, gave Bst YI restriction endonuclease digestion results distinct from streptomycetes. Moreover, both primer pairs gave an amplification product of the expected size only when Streptomyces VTT E-99-1334 DNA was present in the template DNA mixture isolated from six bacterial and three fungal strains. The primers were further successfully used to amplify from DNA isolated from two soil and two building material samples. The 40 sequenced amplification products obtained with the primer pair StrepB/StrepE showed greater than 96.1% similarity to streptomycete 16S rRNA sequences. Seventy PCR amplification products obtained with the primers StrepB/StrepF were analysed by sequencing and restriction analysis. All 54 PCR products having >95.7% similarity to streptomycete sequences were cleaved with Bst YI. No false-positive results were achieved. Both primer sets proved to be specific for streptomycetes, and applicable for the detection of streptomycetes in environmental samples.     

Detection of HIV-1 infections by PCR: evaluation in a seropositive subject population

To study the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performance in detecting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, we tested 53 HIV-1 seropositive patients and 29 HIV-1 seronegative subjects for four different HIV-1 DNA regions. Fifty-one seropositive patients were found positive by PCR with at least one primer pair, but two were repeatedly negative for all primers. Weekly blood samples from 12 seropositive subjects all detected positive for at least one primer pair, but for three patients an irregular primer detection pattern was found. One additional HIV-1 seropositive sample, found negative for HIV DNA, was also negative for the beta-globin PCR control. The 29 seronegative specimens were HIV-1 DNA negative, as was a HIV-2 seropositive patient. This study demonstrates that PCR is almost as good as serological tests for detecting HIV infections, with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 96% and that resampling the patients may improve detection performance.     

Genotyping of 38 insertion/deletion polymorphisms for human identification using universal fluorescent PCR

Short insertion/deletion (Indel) polymorphisms of approximately 2–6 bp are useful as biallelic markers for forensic analysis, and the application of Indel genotyping as a supplementary tool would improve human identification accuracy. We examined the allele frequencies of 37 autosomal Indels in the Japanese population and developed a novel dual-color genotyping method for human identification on the basis of universal fluorescent PCR, including the sex-typing amelogenin locus. Target genomic fragment sizes for 38 Indels were 49–143 bp. We analyzed these Indels in 100 Japanese individuals using the M13(-47) sequence as a universal primer. For dual-color genotyping, we designed a novel universal primer with high amplification efficiency and specificity. Using FAM-labeled M13(-47) and HEX-labeled modified M13(-47) primers, fluorescent signals at all loci were clearly distinguished in two independent multiplex PCRs. Average minor allele frequency was 0.39, and accumulated matching probability was 2.12 × 10⁻¹⁵. Complete profiles were successfully amplified with as little as 0.25 ng of DNA. This method provides robust, sensitive, and cost-effective genotyping for human identification.     

The utility of cerebrospinal fluid for the molecular diagnosis of toxoplasmic encephalitis

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, which were developed to detect and identify toxoplasma parasites in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Nested PCR was performed using primers generated by Dr. L.D. Sibley to target the 18S rDNA instead of the conventionally used primers which target the B1 gene. We also designed Toxoplasma gondii–specific LAMP primers targeting both genes. In vitro detection sensitivity was evaluated using 10-fold serially diluted genomic DNA purified from RH tachyzoites, and clinical sensitivity and specificity were evaluated using clinical CSF samples from 16 patients with toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE) and from 12 patients with other diseases. The 18S rDNA nested PCR showed the highest detection sensitivity limit with a minimum of 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ ng/μL. However, sensitivity and specificity of nested PCR with clinical specimens were 50% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of molecular diagnosis of TE is not sufficient; therefore, patients clinically suspected of having TE should be treated promptly. Our molecular diagnostic tool would restrictively facilitate a definitive diagnosis of TE at an early stage in approximately 50% of patients.     

Specific PCR primers for Cryptosporidium parvum with extra high sensitivity

One pair of high-sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers for Cryptosporidium parvum was constructed based on the sequence of random amplified polymorphic DNA. PCR with this primer pair amplified only the DNA of C. parvum, not the control DNA including Cryptosporidium muris. This primer pair had most advantageous in its sensitivity over the six pairs of primers reported elsewhere. The minimum amount of template DNA required to produce visible bands after gel electrophoresis and ethidium bromide staining was 0.156 pg of C. parvum or just a single oocyst in the PCR tube.     

Detection of human apolipoprotein E3, E2, and E4 genotypes by an allele-specific oligonucleotide-primed polymerase chain reaction assay: development and validation.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has been developed and validated by using allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) primers to specifically amplify E3, E2, and E4 polymorphic sequences of the human apolipoprotein E (apo E) genes. Degenerate ASOs containing one or two additional 3' mismatches provided greater specificity than did ASOs containing a single mid-sequence or 3' allele-specific mismatch with plasmid pEB4 or genomic DNA as template. Optimal specificity and efficiency of amplification did not correlate with primer annealing conditions, whether determined theoretically or via oligo-melting experiments. Pre-cycling denaturation times and high cycling denaturation temperatures were also required for optimal amplification, presumably because of the high G:C content (75-85%) of apo E gene sequences. Conditions permissive for amplification and discrimination with plasmid DNA did not transpose favorably to amplification from human genomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes; the latter required nested primer reactions. These data may be valuable in predicting PCR assay conditions for other G:C-rich sequences containing polymorphic sequence differences. The assay described is both more accurate and rapid (24 h) than previously described methods for phenotyping or genotyping human apo E from blood specimens.     

检测胎儿弯曲菌三种亚种的多重PCR方法建立及初步应用

目的 建立一种检测胎儿弯曲菌胎儿亚种、性病亚种和龟亚种的多重PCR检测方法。方法 使用针对胎儿弯曲菌、性病亚种和龟亚种的特异性引物,优化反应体系及反应条件,使用38株菌株（18株胎儿弯曲菌和20株非胎儿弯曲菌）验证其特异性,并将该方法应用于53份爬行动物粪便筛查。结果 针对3种亚种均可扩增相应的片段,胎儿亚种只有1条359 bp大小的条带、性病亚种有2条分别为359 bp和156 bp大小的条带,龟亚种有2条分别为359 bp和266 bp大小的条带。优化后的最佳扩增条件：退火温度58℃,引物MG3f和Cf359r浓度为0.1μmol/L,ISC2mf和ISC2mr、CoA266f和CoA266r的浓度0.2μmol/L。对胎儿亚种、性病亚种和龟亚种的检出限分别为0.40 ng/μL、0.39 ng/μL和0.47 ng/μL。使用18株胎儿弯曲菌和20株非胎儿弯曲菌其特异性为100%。对53份爬行动物粪便进行筛查中有1份龟亚种阳性并分离出了相应的菌株。结论 本研究建立的多重PCR方法能利用1个反应体系同时鉴别3种亚种,从而为菌株快速鉴定、流行病学调查和溯源研究提供技术支持。     

Amplification of human genomic DNA sequences with polymerase chain reaction using a single oligonucleotide primer

We present two examples of exponential nucleic acid amplification with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the presence of only one amplification primer. Cloning and sequencing of the PCR products generated by amplification of human genomic DNA revealed that the amplified sequence contained only one primer and its complement, at the two ends of the PCR product. Although these experiments were performed with primers derived from the sequence of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) gene and the normal epithelial cell-specific 1 gene (NES1), the amplified sequences were novel and had no homology with either PSA or NES1 DNA. While both PSA and NES1 genes reside on chromosome 19q13.3-q13.4, the amplified sequences were found by mapping to reside on chromosome 5q12 and 5p15.1-p15.3, respectively. When we examined the mechanism of amplification by PCR using one primer in these two cases, we found that there was a high homology between the PSA primer or the NES1 primer and the two regions flanking the amplified sequence of chromosome 5q12 or 5p15. This indicated that the single PSA or NES1 primer could anneal on both strands of the DNA of that region, and mediate the exponential amplification. Since this phenomenon occurred to us twice with a limited number of different PCR reactions performed in our laboratory (< 20), we believe that it may represent a common artifact of PCR. Moreover, it appears that the palindromic primer binding sites can anneal to each other forming DNA cruciforms.     

TaqMan荧光定量PCR检测新型隐球菌方法的建立

目的建立TaqMan荧光定量PCR方法定量检测新型隐球菌基因组DNA,为检测隐球菌性脑膜炎提供重要方法。方法在国家生物技术信息中心(NCBI)查找新型隐球菌各亚型的ITS-rDNA序列,序列比对后设计特异性引物和探针,扩增片段为114bp,构建质粒标准品,调整质粒浓度为1.42×10~8 copy/μL~1.42×10copy/μL共8个浓度梯度,分别取2μL作为模板,优化反应条件,建立标准曲线,进行敏感性、特异性、重复性评价,并检测临床确诊的15例隐球菌脑膜炎感染菌株。结果建立的荧光定量PCR可以检测2.84×10~2拷贝的质粒DNA,对临床分离的各10例其他真菌、细菌、乙型肝炎病毒DNA和人类基因组DNA均无扩增曲线,重复性良好,3个浓度的批间变异系数分别为2.86%、1.48%、1.36%,可准确检测15例新型隐球菌。结论成功建立检测新型隐球菌的荧光定量PCR方法,敏感性和特异性较高,结果稳定可靠,可早期、快速诊断隐球菌性脑膜炎。     

改进的PCR在抑癌基因启动子CpG岛甲基化检测中的应用

目的改进聚合酶链反应(PCR),并检验改进后的方法在甲基化检测中的可行性。方法培养人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7,提取基因组DNA,利用亚硫酸氢盐测序法,用常规、降落及改进PCR分别扩增,比较扩增效果,PCR产物纯化回收后,TA克隆入载体pGEM-T,转化大肠杆菌(E.coliDH5α),筛选阳性克隆,经PCR扩增鉴定后获得阳性重组质粒,测序比对。结果改进后PCR与常规、降落PCR相比,扩增效率增高,二聚体及非特异性扩增减少;测序结果显示,MCF-7细胞基因组DNA中,RASSF lA基因启动子CpG岛是高甲基化的,E-cadherin基因启动子CpG岛未呈现高甲基化状态。结论改进后方法提高了以PCR为基础的甲基化分析的可行性,更适用于基因甲基化状态的检测,并为扩增富含CG的基因启动子区域提供参考。     

A novel, internally competitive polymerase chain reaction for quantification of human cytomegalovirus DNA in human leukocytes

The rapid, low cost estimation of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) viral load in the blood of immunosupressed individuals is crucial for the timely diagnosis of transplant recipients with clinically significant HCMV infections requiring treatment. To this end we have developed a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with internal controls for competitive quantification of cytomegalovirus DNA in human leukocytes. The reaction simultaneously amplifies, under reduced stringency conditions, a 136 bp fragment of the HCMV LA gene together with a single anonymous 200 bp fragment of human DNA using a single-primer pair. The primers used are specific for the HCMV gene sequence but contain a single mismatch that permits the amplification of the competing human DNA fragment. Quantification is achieved by comparison of the amount of the two products. The assay quantifies between 10(3)and 10(6)HCMV genomes in 10(6)leukocytes, a range that permits low-level clinically unimportant HCMV infections to be distinguished from those likely to cause serious disease. The advantages of the method are that no external controls are needed, quantification is achieved from a single reaction and no separate measurement of host DNA concentration is required.     

Solid-phase PCR with hybridization and time-resolved fluorometry for detection of HLA-B27

BACKGROUND: Preactivated solid surfaces provide new possibilities for multiple consecutive reactions in a microtiter plate format. In this study, a combination of PCR and subsequent hybridization in the same microtiter well was applied for the detection of HLA-B27 alleles. METHODS: A multiplex solid-phase PCR to amplify the HLA-B27 alleles together with beta-actin as an amplification control gene was performed on the NucleoLink (Nunc) surface. PCR was followed by hybridization and detection with time-resolved fluorescence. For the covalent capture of the PCR primers onto the solid support via a 1-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride-mediated reaction, different 5'-end modifications of oligonucleotides were tested [amination, phosphorylation, and a poly(dT)10 linker]. RESULTS: For covalent immobilization of the primers, amination of the 5' end combined with use of the poly(dT)10 linker was superior. At least 19.5% of the primer added per well was attached via a stable bond. When the standard time-resolved, fluorescence-based HLA-B27 detection system was compared with the newly developed method in a sample series of 82 genomic DNAs and the corresponding dried-blood spots, all results were in full agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The new solid-phase PCR approach can be applied for multiple-target DNA detection. PCR followed by hybridization can be accomplished in a few hours using precoated strips and dried-blood spot PCR templates.