In the last few years, FV Leiden, prothrombin 20210 and thermolabile methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677 variants have been identified as possible risk factors associated with thrombophilia, and many PCR-based methods have been described for detecting these variations. However, the genomic DNA extraction is still a rate-limiting and time-consuming step in the PCR process. In an attempt to accelerate this procedure and make it suitable for routine laboratory, we report a single preparative technique for DNA extraction from peripheral blood samples using an anion-binding resin (GeneFizz). This method enables white blood cell lysis, DNA extraction and PCR amplification directly in the thermocycling tube on the thermocycler. The use of this new DNA extraction system coupled to a multiplex PCR allows rapid genetic screening of large cohorts of patients for thrombophilic risk factors.
Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel