The invention relates to a method and test kit for quantitative
determination of the amounts or relative proportions of polynucleotides
in a mixture. The invention enables assessment of dynamic variations in a
mixed population of organisms using affinity aided solution
hybridization. The test kit comprises organized pools of polynucleotide
probes having approximately the same number of nucleotides, which are
distinguishable using resolution enabling tags providing the probes with
different sizes. The resolution enabling tags may simultaneously act as
tracer, affinity or primer tags. The probes are allowed to hybridize with
affinity tagged analyte polynucleotides. The result is hybrids,
recoverable on separation aiding tools provided with counterparts of the
affinity tag. After the quantitative release of the probes, the
individual probes can be amplified and recorded. The method and test kit
are useful for determining hygienic and epidemiologic situations and
evaluating the effect of antibiotic treatment and sanitary measures.