Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
Contemporary methods for detection of microbial infections in transplanted tissues
Magdalena Sikora1, Bozenna Interewicz, Waldemar L Olszewski
1Dept. of Surgical Research & Transplantology, Medical Research Center, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw, Poland.
Abstract:
Infective processes developing after transplantation are diagnosed mainly in the specimens harvested from blood and exudates. Not much attention has been focused on identification of microorganisms present in the graft or penetrating the graft from the recipient. Although a progress has been made with respect to detection of viruses there is still little knowledge on the pathological role of bacteria, transplanted together with the graft or acquired from the recipient, in evoking or enhancing the rejection reaction (heterologous immune response). Recently developing molecular techniques allow us to detect bacterial genetic materials in clinical specimens. This article reviews commonly used methods for detection, identification and typing bacterial pathogens. It focuses on specific and universal methods based on gene sequencing, PCR and techniques based on polymorphic DNA. We also present the examples of genes and microorganisms analysed in laboratories. Together with conventional microbiological methods the molecular tests can serve as a key for better understanding the bacterial presence in tissues, not necessarily causing inflammation, quite often being commensal, but also evoking host reaction under certain so far not defined circumstances.
Insights
This review explores bacterial roles in transplant rejection. Molecular techniques help identify bacteria in grafts, improving understanding beyond inflammation to host immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Infective processes post-transplantation are typically diagnosed from blood and exudates.
- The role of bacteria within the graft or from the recipient in transplant rejection remains understudied.
- While viral detection has advanced, bacterial contributions to graft rejection (heterologous immune response) require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review molecular methods for detecting, identifying, and typing bacterial pathogens in clinical specimens.
- To highlight the importance of understanding bacterial presence in transplanted tissues.
- To explore the potential of molecular techniques in deciphering bacterial roles in transplant outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular techniques including gene sequencing, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and DNA polymorphism-based methods.
- Discussion of specific and universal bacterial detection methods.
- Integration of conventional microbiological approaches with molecular diagnostics.
Main Results:
- Molecular techniques enable the detection of bacterial genetic material in clinical samples, including grafts.
- These methods offer enhanced identification and typing of bacterial pathogens.
- Examples of analyzed genes and microorganisms using these techniques are presented.
Conclusions:
- Molecular tests, combined with conventional methods, are crucial for understanding bacterial presence in tissues.
- Bacteria may be commensal or evoke host reactions under specific, yet undefined, circumstances.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the pathological role of bacteria in transplant rejection and graft survival.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Rapid Identification of Pathogens
01:30Methods to Assess Microbial Populations
01:28Methods of Classification and Identification
01:23Microbial Growth Measurement: Direct Methods