GENERAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS OF AMPLIFICATION METHODS

Amplification methods are promising tools in many diagnostic fields. With respect to infectious diseases they have been shown to be very sensitive and specific and they will be indispensable whenever conventional methods (culture, serodiagnosis) appear not to be satisfactory. Despite many advantages (speed, sensitivity, ease of use, automation, etc.) there are also some drawbacks and possible pitfalls of these innovative methods (contamination, high cost, meaning of results, etc.). This review tries to summarize some of the general problems and aspects that should be considered when establishing or introducing amplification methods for daily routine use in microbiologic laboratories.