Nucleic Acid Testing, Antigen Testing and New Crown PneumoniaWhat are the benefits of choosing nucleic acid testing?

One of the most common words we hear is "nucleic acid testing". There are two main types of virus testing, nucleic acid testing, also known as PCR testing, and antigen testing. The two tests detect different parts of the virus and are difficult to perform, take a long time and cost differently, so why choose the complicated and costly nucleic acid test? This is because nucleic acid testing is more accurate. By accurate,Rapid antigen nasal swab I don't mean misdiagnosed or missed. Let's look at what's really going on

The first step in any test is to take a sample from a person, using a nasal swab or a small amount of saliva.

For a nucleic acid can be detected, the next step after sampling is to amplify as well as genetically study the substance, this is where we use a technique called polymerase chain reaction to allow a small amount of the sample to develop the novel coronavirus through the genes (if there is a problem) to increase. The study work managers in the lab activity room analyze and process the data they collect from the samples with an enzyme that converts RNA into double-stranded DNA. the DNA is then mixed with a solution called a polymerase and heated so that the DNA separates into two single-stranded DNA fragments. As the temperature drops, the polymerase, guided by a culture of small pieces of a substance called DNA "primers," binds to the single-stranded DNA and copies it. The primer is specially structured to bind only to the DNA of the new Chinese coronavirus and to replicate itself. This way the students create their own copies of the following two different coronavirus DNA copies from these original pieces of RNA.

The PCR machine repeats this cycle 30 to 40 times, multiplying the DNA exponentially to produce hundreds of millions of copies of the single original fragment. The amplified viral sequences carry fluorescent material that can be recognized and counted by instruments.

The amplification properties of the nucleic acid assay (PCR assay) allow the method to successfully detect only a small amount of the genetic material of the coronavirus. The nucleic acid test is therefore very sensitive. It is also highly accurate, approaching 100%, and is the gold standard for diagnosing novel coronaviruses.

However, PCR tests have some weaknesses. They require specialized laboratory personnel and special equipment, and the amplification process can take an hour or more from start to finish. Sample collection, transportation, amplification, testing, and reporting require a complete process, and results can take hours or longer to obtain, which can be costly.

In virus detection. There is another method called antigen detection, which is characterized by simplicity and speed. It is also used in many countries, but has a low accuracy rate.

Antigens are substances that cause the student's body to develop a response that affects the immune system - they trigger the production of antibodies. The technical approach to antigen detection is to "search" for antigens of the SARS-CoV-2 virus using antibodies designed and manufactured by different laboratories.

For antigen testing, samples are first treated with a liquid containing salts and eluting samples to break down the cells and associated particles. This liquid is then used to test, for example, test strips lined with antibodies specific to coronaviruses.

Like antibodies in the human body, the antibodies on the test strip bind to any antigens in the sample. If the antibody binds to the coronavirus antigen, a colored line will appear on the test strip, indicating the presence of neocoronavirus.

Antigen tests also have a number of advantages. First, they are very easy to administer and can even be tested at home by people with no special training. The results come back quickly, usually in less than 15 minutes, and the cost is very low.

The disadvantage of antigen tests is that they are not as accurate as polymerase chain reaction tests. When a person is symptomatic or has a large amount of virus in their body, antigen testing can ensure some accuracy. However, unlike polymerase chain reaction tests at the molecular level, antigen tests do not amplify the virus to be tested. Only the sample obtained has enough viral antigen to be detected and reflected on the test strip.

When a person is in the early stages of development of an infection, there is not much virus in the nose and throat from which the data sample was collected. Therefore, antigens for detection techniques may miss early cases of new coronavirus infections. And at this stage of our society, infected people often have no symptoms associated with the infection, so it is easy to miss people whose problems have already occurred, causing further spread of the business.