Molecular PCR Surveillance of Infectious Pathogens Associated With Occupational Exposure Among Frontline Medical Professionals

Vollständiger Abstract

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Occupational exposure to infectious pathogens remains a persistent concern for frontline medical professionals because repeated contact with patients, biological specimens, contaminated surfaces, and aerosol-generating procedures can increase opportunities for pathogen transmission. Effective surveillance therefore requires diagnostic approaches capable of detecting infections rapidly and accurately, including cases with low pathogen burden or limited clinical manifestations. This article examines molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) surveillance of infectious pathogens associated with occupational exposure among frontline medical professionals. It considers how conventional PCR, real-time quantitative PCR, reverse-transcription PCR, and multiplex PCR can support pathogen detection across respiratory, blood-borne, and other clinically relevant infectious exposures. Particular attention is given to specimen selection, sampling frequency, molecular targets, nucleic-acid extraction, amplification, quality control, and interpretation of positive and negative findings. The article further evaluates how PCR surveillance data can characterize occupational infection patterns, identify potential exposure clusters, and inform infection-prevention measures. Integrating molecular surveillance with exposure histories, clinical information, and workplace risk factors provides a stronger framework for protecting healthcare personnel, strengthening outbreak preparedness, and guiding evidence-based occupational infection-control strategies.