Recent advances in PCR-based detection of Escherichia coli

Food safety and public health face significant challenges, making accurate assessment of microbial contamination crucial for safeguarding public health and blocking pathogen transmission. Among various indicators, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is widely regarded as the most reliable indicator for water quality and food safety testing. Due to its high sensitivity and specificity, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has gradually become a core tool in E. coli detection. This article provides a systematic review of the development and application of PCR technology in E. coli detection, including the role of conventional PCR in early pathogen identification, the advantages of real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) in rapid quantification and specific detection, and the breakthroughs of digital PCR (dPCR) in absolute quantification and low-abundance target analysis. Furthermore, by comparing the strengths and limitations of different PCR strategies, emerging research directions such as integrated platforms are discussed, and future prospects for E. coli detection technologies are presented.