[Real-time PCR].
PCR based assays are currently used routinely in most microbiology laboratories. But, with few exceptions, they are restricted to the field of virology, especially to a limited number of viral targets with important economical interest for which commercially well standardized assays are available. For several reasons, it has had a poor implementation of the PCR assays into routine diagnostics for other infectious diseases despite they are advantageous. Combined with automated sample isolation of nucleic acids, real-time PCR gives an ideal platform for the development of molecular assays for a wide range of infectious agents with clinical interest. Because of its advantages, as simplicity, rapidity and minor risk of contamination, real-time PCR will go replace conventional PCR assays and its use will extend to a wide range of applications in clinical microbiology.
Costa
Josep
J
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain. costa@medicina.ub.es
D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods; D003199:Computer Systems; D015342:DNA Probes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods
D015342:DNA Probes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes