PCR diagnostics: In silico validation by an automated tool using freely available software programs.

ABSTRACT: PCR diagnostics are often the first line of laboratory diagnostics and are regularly designed to either differentiate between or detect all pathogen variants of a family, genus or species. The ideal PCR test detects all variants of the target pathogen, including newly discovered and emerging variants, while closely related pathogens and their variants should not be detected. This is challenging as pathogens show a high degree of genetic variation due to genetic drift, adaptation and evolution. Therefore, frequent re-evaluation of PCR diagnostics is needed to monitor its usefulness. Validation of PCR diagnostics recognizes three stages, in silico, in vitro and in vivo validation. In vitro and in vivo testing are usually costly, labour intensive and imply a risk of handling dangerous pathoge

SUBMITTER: van Weezep E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7113775 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature