Zhang Liuliu, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Characteristic Medical Center (formerly 306 Hospital).
Edited by Liu Yan/Cui Yan, Medical Science Popularization Center
Patient: I have a runny nose, cough, fever......
Doctor: Did you do nucleic acid?
Patient: I don't have COVID, why do I do nucleic acid?
Doctor: Nucleic acid is not only a new crown, it is a means to detect pathogen infection, such as influenza A and B, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, etc.
Clinical significance of nucleic acid testing
Nucleic acid is one of the most basic substances of life, is the general name of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), generally used for early screening of infectious diseases such as viruses and mycoplasma, and is the most advanced method of detecting pathogen infection. It can improve the sensitivity of blood transfusion infection, reduce infectious diseases caused by blood transfusion, and shorten the "window period" from infection to pathogen detection.
Common nucleic acid detection methods
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): One of the great inventions in medicine of the 20th century, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a molecular biology technique used to amplify and amplify specific DNA fragments, with specific steps including denaturation, annealing, and elongation.
Gene sequencing: This is a new genetic testing technology that enables the analysis and determination of gene sequences from body fluids to predict the likelihood of developing a variety of diseases. Gene sequencing technology can provide a reference for disease diagnosis and treatment.
Biochip technology: Based on the principle of specific interactions between biomolecules, the biochemical analysis process is integrated on the chip surface to achieve high-throughput and rapid detection of DNA, RNA, peptides, proteins and other biological components. In other words, many test-tube reactions that used to be required in a very large laboratory are now being moved to a single chip and happening at the same time. According to the introduction of molecular biology detection technology, the current chip technology is limited to a few laboratories with good conditions, and for most laboratories, due to the high cost of equipment, it takes a certain amount of time to popularize and apply.
Basic measures to prevent infectious diseases
(1) Strengthen personal hygiene and do not touch suspicious items, (2) Observe healthy eating habits, (3) Do not get too close to the source of infection when possible, wear masks, (4) Exercise appropriately to enhance immunity, (5) Susceptible people can be vaccinated and prevented.
(The picture comes from the Internet)