The Principle, Application and Development Prospect of the Technology PCR

Conventional diagnostic methods for pathogen identification face significant limitations in clinical practice. These include inadequate sensitivity for low microbial loads, prolonged processing times, and susceptibility to sample matrix interference. As a result, this review focuses on recent progress in polymerase chain reaction technology, with particular emphasis on digital PCR platforms. Digital PCR represents a substantial improvement over quantitative PCR methodology. It provides three key advantages: direct absolute quantification without standard curves, enhanced detection capability for rare targets (sensitivity to 1 copy/L), and superior performance in inhibitor-containing samples. These characteristics address many limitations observed in traditional diagnostic approaches. Emerging PCR-CRISPR integrations (e.g., PCR-Cas13a for H. pylori) are also discussed in this review. Current limitations include equipment complexity and sample interference, but portable devices, multiplex platforms, and AI-assisted analysis show promise for overcoming these challenges and improving diagnostics. These advancements are expanding PCR's applications in precision medicine and infectious disease management.