Application of Droplet Digital PCR to Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae Infections: A Narrative Review
Yuxin Fan, Jingjing Chen, Meixiao Liu, Xin Xu, Yu Zhang, Peng Yue, Wenjing Cao, Zhenhua Ji, Xuan Su, Shiyuan Wen, Jing Kong, Guozhong Zhou, Bingxue Li, Yan Dong, Aihua Liu, Fukai Bao
Abstract
Abstract: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection, which has seriously endangered human health for many years. With the emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant MTB , the prevention and treatment of TB has become a pressing need. Early diagnosis, drug resistance monitoring, and control of disease transmission are critical aspects in the prevention and treatment of TB. However, the currently available diagnostic technologies and drug sensitivity tests are time consuming, and thus, it is difficult to achieve the goal of early diagnosis and detection drug sensitivity, which results in limited control of disease transmission. The development of molecular testing technology has gradually achieved the vision of rapid and accurate diagnosis of TB. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is an excellent nucleic acid quantification method with high sensitivity and no need for a calibration curve. Herein, we review the application of ddPCR in TB diagnosis and drug resistance detection and transmission monitoring. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis , tuberculosis, droplet digital PCR, diagnosis, drug resistance test, disease transmission