How is PCR used to detect HIV virus?

PCR is used to amplify a gene of interest but how can it be used to detect viruses? Please explain the process.

1 Answer
Dave
Mar 2, 2018

See below

Explanation:

PCR has the ability to target and amplify almost any section of DNA possible. When a person gets infected with HIV, the HIV genome (RNA) gets turned into DNA and inserted in the person's genomic DNA.

The HIV DNA is very specific for HIV and contains genes that do not exist in humans. These genes are easy to target with PCR. Just pick a non-mutating gene in HIV (like the caspid protein genes) and pick primers (Forward and Reverse) that would amplify this section (maybe 250 nucleotide section). IF you get an amplification signal, then HIV genomic DNA is probably present in the sample.

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