Buck G E
Alliant Health System, Louisville, KY, USA.
J Ky Med Assoc. 1996 Apr;94(4):148-52.
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a revolutionary new means of amplifying, ie, replicating, selected DNA sequences in vitro. This procedure is rapid, requiring approximately 5 hours for completion, and exquisitely sensitive. Studies have shown that as few as one microorganism can be detected. Thus, it has the potential for revolutionizing the diagnosis of infections. Because of its expense, its immediate role will probably be restricted to infections where the causative organism cannot be cultured or is difficult to detect by conventional means. As further progress occurs, however, this technique may well become a major new tool for diagnosing infections.
聚合酶链反应（PCR）是一种在体外扩增（即复制）特定DNA序列的全新革命性方法。该过程快速，大约需要5小时完成，且极其灵敏。研究表明，少至一个微生物都能被检测到。因此，它有潜力彻底改变感染性疾病的诊断方式。由于其成本高昂，其直接作用可能会局限于那些致病微生物无法培养或难以通过传统方法检测的感染性疾病。然而，随着进一步的发展，这项技术很可能会成为诊断感染性疾病的一项重要新工具。
