Nucleic acid test

A nucleic acid test, often called a "NAT" test, (or nucleic acid amplification test - "NAAT") is a biochemical technique used to detect a virus or a bacterium. These tests were developed to shorten the window period, a time between when a patient has been infected and when they show up as positive by antibody tests.

The term includes any test that directly detects the genetic material of the infecting organism or virus. There are multiple methods that fall in this group, including:

• Methods based on the Polymerase chain reaction. These tests use a primer to rapidly make copies of the genetic material.
  • A reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) is used for HIV and other RNA viruses.
  • Transcription mediated amplification uses a slightly different molecular method than PCR but has the same basic principle.
• Branched DNA (quantiplex bDNA) tests use a molecule that links to the specific genetic material.
• Ligase chain reaction

This medical diagnostic article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Medical diagnostic stubs Medical diagnosis Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую David Wright Allison Silver Mound Archeological District Look at other dictionaries: nucleic acid test — any of various tests that use molecular biology techniques to detect and identify microorganisms, including viruses, on the basis of their nucleic acids. It includes culture confirmation tests, which identify organisms grown in culture, and… …   Medical dictionary nucleic acid amplification test — (NAAT) any nucleic acid test (q.v.) that uses nucleic acid amplification techniques in a direct test for the presence of a specific pathogen in a sample; such tests do not depend on the production of antibody by the pathogen, and can be rapid,… …   Medical dictionary nucleic acid — /nooh klee ik, klay , nyooh /, Biochem. any of a group of long, linear macromolecules, either DNA or various types of RNA, that carry genetic information directing all cellular functions: composed of linked nucleotides. [1890 95; NUCLE(US) + IC;… …   Universalium Nucleic acid quantitation — In molecular biology, quantitation of nucleic acids is commonly performed to determine the average concentrations of DNA or RNA present in a mixture, as well as their purity. Reactions that use nucleic acids often require particular amounts and… …   Wikipedia Nucleic acid sequence — A series of codons in part of a mRNA molecule. Each codon consists of three nucleotides, usually representing a single amino acid. The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and… …   Wikipedia nucleic acid amplification technique — any of various in vitro methods by which a DNA or RNA sequence is amplified, making it more readily detectable for various procedures or tests. The original, and still most commonly used, is the polymerase chain reaction. See also under test …   Medical dictionary HIV test — Randall L. Tobias, former U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, being publicly tested for HIV in Ethiopia in an effort to reduce the stigma of being tested.[1] HIV tests are used to detect the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus …   Wikipedia Test de dispersión de la cromatina espermática — Este artículo o sección necesita ser wikificado con un formato acorde a las convenciones de estilo. Por favor, edítalo para que las cumpla. Mientras tanto, no elimines este aviso puesto el 16 de julio de 2011. También puedes ayudar wikific …   Wikipedia Español Nuclein Acid Amplification Test Technology — Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Technology (NAAT) steht in der Medizin für eine Gruppe von Verfahren, bei denen Nukleinsäuren vervielfältigt werden, so dass auch geringe Mengen nachweisbar werden. Das bekannteste Verfahren ist die Polymerase… …   Deutsch Wikipedia Quantification of nucleic acids — is commonly used in molecular biology to determine the concentrations of DNA or RNA present in a mixture, as subsequent reactions or protocols using a nucleic acid sample often require particular amounts for optimum performance. There exist… …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”