Practical use of multiplex and broad-range PCR in ophthalmology

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used to confirm or deny infectious ocular inflammation such as uveitis. The purpose of this article is to review the current practical use of PCR examination in ophthalmology, especially multiplex and broad-range PCR, and a novel PCR, termed Strip PCR. At first, in the Introduction, we show the development of the PCR examination in ophthalmology. We next show the clinical applications of multiplex PCR and broad-range PCR. These advances in PCR continue to contribute greatly to the ophthalmology field. We also show how the sample for PCR is collected. Recently, we established a novel examination, a multiplex real-time PCR (Strip PCR) prototype for detecting 24 pathogens responsible for ocular infectious diseases. Moreover, we developed the Direct Strip PCR method, which skips the DNA extraction step in the procedure. This PCR is anticipated to ease etiologic evaluation, increasing pathogen detection in the intraocular fluids of uveitis patients even by general ophthalmologists. We also describe the following: (1) representative cases in which PCR is useful, (2) representative cases in which PCR can exclude a diagnosis, (3) the current status of PCR in the diagnosis of infectious uveitis and advanced medical service, and (4) the prospects for clinical PCR in ophthalmology.

We have established and developed the multiplex PCR, broad-range PCR, Strip PCR, and Direct Strip PCR methods and have reported the efficacy of such tests in multicenter studies. Our goal is "rapid and simple comprehensive PCR diagnosis anywhere and by anyone" for ocular infections.