Real-time PCR

Molecular detection methods have revolutionized medical diagnosis and are an essential part of today’s laboratory diagnosis.

In many areas of infectious diseases, the classical detection methods such as culture and immunoassays have been replaced or supplemented by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

By direct detection of DNA or RNA of the pathogen, real-time PCR allows for an early and highly specific diagnosis, thus leading to a fast and selective treatment regime of the individual patient; after DNA isolation, target gene fragments are amplified (amplicons) and, if present, detected with fluorescent hydrolysis probes. The fluorescence signal increases with the amount of formed amplicons which is detected by the optical unit of a real-time PCR instrument.