Digital PCR for accurate quantification of pathogens: Principles, applications, challenges and future prospects

Pathogens pose a severe threat to food safety and human health. The traditional methods for pathogen detection can't meet the growing diagnosis and control need. Digital PCR (dPCR) attracts a considerable attention for its ability to absolutely quantify pathogens with features of high selectivity, simplicity, accuracy and rapidity. The dPCR technique that achieves absolute quantification based on end-point measurement without standard curve offers a guideline for further genetic analysis and molecular diagnosis. It could contribute to the quantification of low level of nucleic acid, early detection and timely prevention of pathogenic diseases. In this review, 1442 publications about dPCR were selected and the detections of various pathogens by dPCR were reviewed comprehensively, including viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. A number of examples are cited to illustrate that dPCR is a new powerful tool with desired accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility for quantification of different types of pathogens. Moreover, the benefits, challenges and future prospects of the dPCR were also highlighted in this review.