Optimization of random amplified polymorphic DNA techniques for its use in genetic studies of Trichomonas vaginalis isolates.

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique is a simple method to detect DNA polymorphism. Several factors can affect the amplification profiles causing the presence of false bands and assay non-reproducibility. In this study, we analyzed the effect of changing concentrations of the primer, template DNA and Taq DNA polymerase with the goal of determining their optimum concentration for the standardization of the RAPD technique for genetic studies of Trichomonas vaginalis, a parasite that is of major epidemiological relevance in Cuba.