**2.3 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with reverse transcription(RT-PCR)**

The technique of PCR can be used to detect the presence of the DENV. Viral RNA is extracted using commercial kits. The RNA is reverse transcribed to cDNA in a first step. Then specific primers for DENV nucleotide sequence are used for the amplification of targeted sequence so as to detect a small amount of RNA molecules of DENV. This method is fast and rapid compared to cell culture. Reverse transcription and PCR technique was shown for the first time as a powerful technique for the detection of the DENV during convalescence, when the antibodies would limit its detection (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 2001).

However, this method should still be considered an experimental approach. Is implementation on a large scale awaits further experiments. Moreover, a consensus on the adequate preparation of samples and for determining the sequences of bases in oligonucleotides capable of detecting all or most circulating genotypes of dengue need to be reached (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION, 2001).
