PCR PCR Applications & Clinical Diagnostics 2

Question 1

Which PCR-based method is used to quantify viral load in HIV-positive patients to monitor antiretroviral therapy effectiveness?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative RT-PCR

Answer

Quantitative RT-PCR measures HIV RNA copies per milliliter of plasma, providing clinicians with data to monitor viral suppression during treatment.

Question 2

In tissue typing for organ transplantation, which PCR-based approach is used to determine HLA compatibility between donor and recipient?

Accepted Answer

Sequence-specific primer PCR (PCR-SSP)

Answer

PCR-SSP uses primer pairs designed to amplify only specific HLA alleles, enabling rapid and accurate HLA typing for transplant matching.

Question 3

Which application of digital PCR (dPCR) gives it an advantage over qPCR for rare mutation detection in liquid biopsy samples?

Accepted Answer

Absolute quantification without a standard curve

Answer

dPCR partitions the reaction into thousands of droplets, allowing absolute quantification of rare mutations without relying on a standard curve, increasing sensitivity for liquid biopsy.

Question 4

Which PCR technique is used in newborn screening programs in the US to detect mutations causing conditions like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)?

Accepted Answer

Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA)

Answer

MLPA uses PCR amplification of ligation products to detect copy number variations and point mutations, making it suitable for newborn screening panels.

Question 5

In infectious disease surveillance, which PCR approach enables point-of-care testing by completing amplification in under 30 minutes without a thermocycler?

Accepted Answer

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)

Answer

LAMP uses a strand-displacing polymerase at a constant temperature, eliminating the need for a thermocycler and enabling rapid point-of-care diagnostic use.

PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction Certification Practice Test

PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction Certification Practice Test

PCR PCR Applications & Clinical Diagnostics 2