Beyond COVID: How PCR Testing Went Mainstream — Faster, Smaller and Detecting More Diseases

PCR testing's post-pandemic expansion

PCR testing surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming the familiar fast, drive-through method for confirming infection. That rapid adoption permanently changed diagnostics: the market and the technology have both continued to evolve.

Market research reported by Data Intelo projects the global PCR market to grow from $8.5 billion in 2023 to about $12.7 billion by 2032, driven by rising infectious disease awareness, genetic testing needs, and demand for early, high‑accuracy results. New PCR platforms that deliver digital or rapid readouts are increasingly portable and can be deployed in clinics, urgent-care centers and community hospitals.

Wider clinical uses

According to the Cleveland Clinic, modern PCR tests are used to detect viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, inherited conditions such as cystic fibrosis, cancers like lymphoma, and tumor gene changes that affect treatment choices. Local labs and hospitals in New Hampshire and beyond now use multiplex PCR kits that can detect multiple pathogens — for example, COVID-19, RSV and MRSA — from a single sample.

How PCR works and why it’s faster

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is essentially a compact, self-contained testing system that keeps samples isolated from outside contamination. Many instruments are roughly the size of an inkjet printer cartridge and automate nearly all steps after the sample is loaded.

The test uses sequence-specific primers and a polymerase enzyme to amplify targeted genetic material. For RNA viruses, a reverse-transcription step (RT‑PCR) first converts RNA into DNA before amplification. Each amplification cycle typically takes about 30 seconds to two minutes and can theoretically double the amount of target material, making tiny amounts of DNA or RNA far easier to detect.

“Each PCR cycle takes roughly between 30 seconds and two minutes and will theoretically double the amount of targeted genetic material, if it’s present in the specimen,” said Dr. Michael Hitchcock, a pathologist at Concord Hospital and Concord Hospital-Laconia.

“You’re looking for a needle in a haystack if you’re just looking for one piece of DNA,” Hitchcock added, noting that much diagnostic work still involves detailed microscopic examination of blood, urine and tissue.

“As little as 10 years ago, it took a full room, a clean room. You had to be carefully pipetting. Now everything is done in a small box. The only thing the human does is inoculate the sample. The instrument does all the hard work,” said Jan Kimball, who oversees laboratory operations at Concord Hospital’s Franklin and Laconia campuses.

Clinical impact

Traditionally, diagnosing infection often required growing organisms in culture, a process that can be slow, technically demanding and sometimes unreliable. PCR-based diagnostics are much faster and can provide both identification and, with complementary tests, insights into which drugs are likely to be effective. Faster, more accurate detection helps clinicians start the right treatment sooner and improves patient outcomes.