Abstract

VILCHEZ, Glenda  and  ALONSO, Guillermina. Scope and limitations of molecular methods applied to epidemiological studies. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2009, vol.29, n.1, pp.6-12. ISSN 1315-2556.

Epidemiology is a science dedicated to the study of the origin, distribution and control of diseases that affect populations. Molecular Epidemiology is a new branch of science that uses molecular techniques in epidemiological studies. Several molecular genotyping methods can be used to classify microorganisms in closely related or divergent groups. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the PCR test, genomic sequencing, and DNA probe hybridization are the most used techniques in genotyping. Each technique offers an alternative for epidemiological investigation; nevertheless, they also have limited applications. The objective of this work was to review the strengths and weaknesses of these molecular techniques used for genotyping

Keywords : Epidemiology; genotyping; PFGE; PCR; sequencing; DNA arrangements.