Analysis of Legionella Spp. by Real-Time PCR Method (CAT#: STEM-MB-3086-LGZ)

Introduction

Legionella spp. are aerobic, gram-negative bacteria that belong to the order Gammaproteobacteria. Legionella spp. survive and grow in protozoan hosts, such as amoebae, and form biofilms in natural waters (lakes and rivers) and artificial waters (hot springs, bathing facilities, and cooling towers).<br />A real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR, or qPCR) is a laboratory technique of molecular biology based on the polymerase chain reaction(PCR). It monitors the amplification of a targeted DNA molecule during the PCR(i.e.,in real time), not at its end, as in conventional PCR.<br />Two common methods for the detection of PCR products in real-time PCR are(1)non-specific fluorescent dyes that intercalate with any double-stranded DNA and (2)sequence-specific DNA probes consisting of oligonucleotides that are labelled with a fluorescent reporter, which permits detection only after hybridization of the probe with its complementary sequence.