Lo A C, Feldman S R
Department of Dermatology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1071.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994 Feb;30(2 Pt 1):250-60. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(94)70025-7.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been extensively used in basic science research, and the clinical potential of PCR is only now beginning to be realized. The PCR is based on the fundamental DNA replication process that occurs in every living cell. PCR is essentially an in vitro adaptation of the in vivo DNA copying process. Because PCR is so efficient at amplifying even picogram quantities of DNA, contamination with even trace amounts of nucleic acids can lead to the generation of unwanted DNA sequences and false-positive test results. Despite this, there has been rapid growth in the use of PCR in biomedical research and clinical diagnostics. PCR is the most sensitive test for herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, and human papillomavirus infections. Other diagnostic uses, including tests for genetic diseases, cancers, and other infectious diseases, are evolving.
聚合酶链反应（PCR）已在基础科学研究中得到广泛应用，而PCR的临床潜力直到现在才开始得到认识。PCR基于每个活细胞中发生的基本DNA复制过程。PCR本质上是体内DNA复制过程的体外模拟。由于PCR在扩增甚至皮克量的DNA方面效率极高，即使痕量核酸的污染也会导致产生不需要的DNA序列和假阳性检测结果。尽管如此，PCR在生物医学研究和临床诊断中的应用仍迅速增长。PCR是检测单纯疱疹病毒、水痘-带状疱疹病毒和人乳头瘤病毒感染最灵敏的检测方法。包括遗传疾病、癌症和其他传染病检测在内的其他诊断用途也在不断发展。
