  Using Poisson-Boltzmann equation and linear response theory, we derive an
effective interaction potential due to a fixed charge distribution in a
solution containing polyelectrolytes and point salt. We obtain an expression
for the effective potential in terms of static structure factor using the
integral equation theories. To demonstrate the theory we apply it to Gaussian
and rod-like polyelectrolytes and make connections to earlier theoretical works
in some exact limits. We explore the role of both intra and inter polymer
correlations, and the geometry of the polymers in the development of attractive
regions in the effective potential as well as their effects on the screening
lengths.
