Background: Detection of nucleic acids from infectious agents now has a fundamental role in diagnostic microbiology laboratories. Nucleic acid amplification methods have promoted this development.
Material and methods: In this study we give a review of the field based on searches in Medline and our own experience.
Results and interpretation: Nucleic acid sequencing, hybridisation and electrophoresis complement the gene technology available for microbiological diagnosis. Recently, equipment for automated extraction of nucleic acids and real-time quantitative PCR has contributed to faster, more reliable and robust nucleic acid detection. An increasing number of microbiological agents and virulence genes can now be diagnosed in a variety of patient samples and supplemented with additional nucleic acid-based methods for genotyping and quantitative monitoring of drug resistance and therapeutic response.