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PCR techniques applied in POCT devices
| Method | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| PCR | Low cost; complete standards; and the product is recyclable | The operation is cumbersome; low specificity and sensitivity; easy to be contaminated; and cannot perform quantitative analysis |
| qPCR | High specificity and sensitivity; quantitative analysis | High cost, nonrecyclable product; fluorescent probe or dye required |
| RT-PCR and RT-qPCR | Widely applicable and can be used for all types of RNA | RNA is easily degraded; additional reverse transcription steps are required |
| dPCR | Absolute quantification; extremely high sensitivity and specificity | Expensive cost; complex operation; and long-time consuming |
LAMP and PCR techniques in POCT devices
| LAMP | PCR | |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Constant temperature equipment | PCR amplifier, thermal cycler |
| Reaction process | One-step amplification | Cyclic amplification |
| Amplification temperature | Constant temperature (60–65°C) | Denaturation (95°C), annealing (50–60°C), polymerization (72°C) |
| Reaction time | 15–40 min | Depends on the temperature control rate of the thermal cycler |
| Primer design | 4–6 primers, high design difficulty | 2 primers, easy to design |
| Sensitivity | Higher sensitivity, but prone to false positives and more expensive | High sensitivity and strong specificity |
| Reagent prices | Higher sensitivity, but prone to false positives and more expensive | Cheap |