Nucleic Acid Testing Relies on Amplification of Targeted Regions of Viral RNA or DNA

 

Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) technique is very specific and highly sensitive for nucleic acid viruses. It relies on the amplification of specific regions of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA or RNA) and detects them earlier than other screening techniques. HIV positive individuals should have this test performed annually to determine their current status. NAT technique is highly sensitive and specific for viral nucleic acids.

Nucleic acid testing is a highly useful method for DNA profiling and various other purposes. This test is also used to generate large numbers of copies of a particular DNA sequence. It works by utilizing nucleic acid molecules or DNA strands to generate different kinds of DNA patterns. The sequence can be designed to serve various purposes, such as genetic fingerprinting, gene mapping and many more. A wide variety of nucleic acid testing methods are available today.

Nucleic acid testing is based on amplification of targeted regions of viral ribonucleic acid or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and detects them earlier than the other screening methods thus, narrowing the window period of HIV, HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. NAT for HCV was first introduced in Germany in 1997 and it was performed on pooled samples of 96 blood donations. There are several advantages of nucleic acid testing. The main advantages of these tests are (1) the use of specimens easy to collect (self-sampled vaginal swab, first-catch urine, tampon samples) and store (nonviable germs are sufficient), (2) their ability to be multiplexed and automated, and (3) their great sensitivity by comparison to culture.

Nucleic acid testing procedures are often used in the field of forensic investigation. This kind of testing can help identify a suspect who has been involved in a crime. For instance, blood evidence, hair evidence and bite marks can all be tested in order to determine whether the person in custody really committed the crime. As well as being used in criminal cases, this test can also be used in the field to determine paternity. This is especially important if there is a possibility that the DNA sample from a crime scene may contain traces of the offender's blood.