Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- This is used to amplify or copy a segment of RNA or DNA (nucleic acid) of different organisms (i.e. viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and Mycobacteria species).
- Detection of the amplified target in real-time is done by measuring fluorescence.
- This target nucleic acid is copied using two synthetic primers (oligonucleotides) that bind to the sequence and then make new target sequences to a level of detection. There are usually about 30-35 cycles.
- Lesser-known Corynebacterium may not have a ready-to-use test kit available and the test would need to be made directly in the laboratory wanting to test for these organisms (also known as a lab-developed test or LDT).
33. Gathany, James. "This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientist was positioning samples, prepared for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This diagnostic technique is the "gold standard" for SARS-CoV-2 testing." CDC Public Health Image Library (PHIL). Public domain. 2020. Accessed July 28, 2023. https://phil.cdc.gov/Details.aspx?pid=24483
