ID Labs — Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory
Molecular Diagnostics

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Testing

Targeted amplification of pathogen DNA for sensitive, specific qualitative detection of infectious agents.

Method
Conventional / qualitative PCR
Turnaround
Data to be updated
Specimen
Data to be updated
Sample volume
Data to be updated
Request More InformationScientific Evidence

Why This Test Matters

PCR revolutionised infectious-disease diagnosis by making vanishingly small amounts of pathogen DNA detectable — enabling diagnosis of fastidious, slow-growing or non-cultivable organisms.

Clinical Background

Many pathogens are difficult or impossible to culture in routine laboratories. Molecular amplification detects their genetic signature directly from clinical specimens.

The Diagnostic Challenge

Current Diagnostic Methods

How the ID Labs Test Helps

How the Test Works

  1. 01Denaturation: double-stranded DNA is heated to ~94–98 °C to separate into single strands
  2. 02Annealing: temperature is lowered to ~50–65 °C so primers bind the target region
  3. 03Extension: temperature is raised to ~72 °C and DNA polymerase extends the primers
  4. 04Steps repeat for 20–40 cycles, exponentially amplifying the target — millions of copies from a small initial sample
  5. 05Detection of amplified product
  6. 06Interpretation and report

Test Methodology

MethodologyConventional / qualitative PCR
TechnologyPolymerase chain reaction
InstrumentData to be updated
DetectionData to be updated

Specimen Information

Specimen requirements: data to be updated. Please contact ID Labs.

Specimen Container

Container information: data to be updated.

Targets / Analytes / Organisms

Validated target list: data to be updated. Please contact ID Labs for the current configuration.

Technical Performance

CharacteristicValueSource
Analytical / clinical performancePerformance characteristics: please contact ID Labs — data to be updated.ID Labs Validated Performance

Clinical Utilization

PCR underpins genetic research, medical diagnostics, forensic science and biotechnology. In the ID Labs workflow it is applied to qualitative pathogen detection where a rapid yes/no answer is clinically useful.

Advantages

  • Extreme analytical sensitivity
  • High specificity from target-specific primers
  • Rapid compared with culture

Limitations

  • Detects nucleic acid, not viability
  • Contamination can cause false positives
  • Only the targeted sequence is assessed

Publications & Scientific Evidence

Multiplex PCR meningitis/encephalitis panel on cerebrospinal fluid: diagnostic performance

Scientific Reports (Nature) · 2024

Clinical ValidationExternal link only

Curated peer-reviewed / authoritative reference. Open the source link for the full text.

Publisher / source

Alinity m STI multiplex PCR (CT/NG/TV/MG): multicenter clinical evaluation

Journal of Laboratory Medicine · 2021

Clinical ValidationExternal link only

Curated peer-reviewed / authoritative reference. Open the source link for the full text.

Publisher / source

Related Tests & Technologies

technology

Real-Time Quantitative PCR (qPCR)

Real-time fluorescence-monitored amplification enabling rapid detection and, with appropriate calibration, quantitative measurement of pathogen load.

technology

RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription PCR)

The reference molecular approach for RNA viruses: reverse transcription of RNA into cDNA followed by amplification and detection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Discuss this test with our scientific team

Panel configuration, specimen logistics and turnaround details on request.

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Information on this page is educational and does not replace professional clinical judgment. Performance values are labelled by source (ID Labs Specification / ID Labs Validated Performance / Manufacturer Specification / Published Scientific Evidence). Molecular results must be correlated clinically and, where appropriate, confirmed by culture and phenotypic susceptibility testing.