Cited by 964Molecular Biology Techniques and ApplicationsBiosensors and Analytical DetectionBacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing

Multiplex PCR: Optimization and Application in Diagnostic Virology

Open access
Elnifro, Elfath M., Ashshi, Ahmed M., Cooper, Robert J., Klapper, Paul E.·2000·Clinical Microbiology Reviews

Abstract

SUMMARY: PCR has revolutionized the field of infectious disease diagnosis. To overcome the inherent disadvantage of cost and to improve the diagnostic capacity of the test, multiplex PCR, a variant of the test in which more than one target sequence is amplified using more than one pair of primers, has been developed. Multiplex PCRs to detect viral, bacterial, and/or other infectious agents in one reaction tube have been described. Early studies highlighted the obstacles that can jeopardize the production of sensitive and specific multiplex assays, but more recent studies have provided systematic protocols and technical improvements for simple test design. The most useful of these are the empirical choice of oligonucleotide primers and the use of hot start-based PCR methodology. These advances along with others to enhance sensitivity and specificity and to facilitate automation have resulted in the appearance of numerous publications regarding the application of multiplex PCR in the diagnosis of infectious agents, especially those which target viral nucleic acids. This article reviews the principles, optimization, and application of multiplex PCR for the detection of viruses of clinical and epidemiological importance.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1128/cmr.13.4.559

Cites

112 of 126 references verified0 citation errors · 13 not checkable

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Authors
Elnifro, E. M., Ashshi, A. M., Cooper, R. J., & Klapper, P. E.
Affiliations
  • University of Manchester (GB)
  • <!--label omitted: 1-->School of Medicine, The University of Manchester,1 and
Venue
Clinical Microbiology Reviews
Published
2000-10
Volume
13
Issue
4
Pages
559-570
ISSN
  • 0893-8512 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-6618
OpenAlex
W2137089963
Cited by
964
References
126
Citations by year
2026: 54 · 2025: 58 · 2024: 67 · 2023: 60 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 57 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 29 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 43 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 46 · 2012: 40
FWCI
0.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Clinical Microbiology Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Biosensors and Analytical Detection
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Clinical Biochemistry › Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
Keywords
multiplex PCR, PCR optimization, diagnostic virology, virus detection, primer design, hot-start PCR, infectious disease diagnosis, viral nucleic acids, assay sensitivity and specificity
MeSH terms
Humans, Virology, Virus Diseases, Viruses, Polymerase Chain Reaction

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