Defining the Quality Standards to Use and Cite PCR Primers and Probes from Literature

Abstract

Objective: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers and probes from the medical literature are frequently used in current research and diagnostics, contributing to numerous publications. Our previous analysis revealed that many of these oligonucleotides fail to effectively detect all strains of various pathogens, leading to questionable results in published studies. Therefore, our goal is to establish quality standards for the use and citation of such primers and probes from the literature. Materials and Methods: We analyzed approximately 500 publications from PubMed and other sources over the past 20 years. In many cases, in-silico analysis was performed, while in others, primers and probes were tested in laboratory settings. Results: We identified numerous instances where outdated oligonucleotides from the literature are still being used, raising concerns about their ability to detect diverse pathogen strains. Authors utilizing these outdated primers and probes must provide evidence of their continued efficacy. Peer reviewers should also give this issue careful attention during the review process. In several cases, we redesigned and updated these oligos for use in our laboratory and in commercial kits. Conclusion: We propose preliminary guidelines to address the use of outdated primers and probes, aiming to prevent questionable publications that result in the wastage of taxpayer funds. Addressing this issue is critical to producing high-quality results that can contribute to the development of new diagnostics, vaccines, and therapies.