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Polymerase chain reaction from bench to bedside. Applications for infectious disease
1Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine.
The Journal of the Florida Medical Association
|September 1, 1993
Summary
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revolutionizes infectious disease diagnosis by amplifying DNA from small samples. While powerful for identifying pathogens, challenges like false positives and interpreting results in chronic infections remain.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Molecular biology advancements have significantly impacted infectious disease research.
- The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a key molecular technique for DNA amplification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the revolutionary potential of PCR in diagnosing microbial diseases.
- To discuss the current and potential applications of PCR in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- In vitro DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Recognition and amplification of foreign genomes from unpurified samples.
Main Results:
- PCR enables the diagnosis of previously difficult or impossible microbial diseases.
- Clinical laboratories are increasingly adopting PCR tests for pathogen identification.
- Ongoing research explores PCR for CNS infections and viral identification in immunocompromised individuals.
Conclusions:
- PCR is a sensitive tool with the potential to transform infectious disease diagnostics.
- Addressing challenges such as false positives and interpreting results in latent infections is crucial for widespread clinical adoption.