Final answer:
High sensitivity of RT-PCR for Covid infection diagnosis indicates the test's ability to accurately detect the virus's genetic material in individuals. RT-PCR converts viral RNA to cDNA for amplification, while qPCR offers viral load quantification, enhancing disease monitoring and treatment effectiveness evaluation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The high sensitivity referred to in the context of R-T PCR for diagnosing an active Covid infection means the ability of the test to correctly identify individuals who have the virus. RT-PCR utilises the enzyme reverse transcriptase to convert viral RNA into cDNA, which can then be amplified using PCR. This amplification allows for the detection of even small amounts of viral genetic material, thus making PCR a very sensitive diagnostic tool. Real-time PCR (qPCR) further improves the utility of PCR by providing not just the presence or absence of viral DNA but also the quantification of viral load, which is particularly useful in monitoring disease progress or the effectiveness of treatment as seen in HIV management.
RT-PCR is preferred in various clinical settings due to its speed and accuracy in detecting the genetic material of pathogens, like Mycobacterium tuberculosis or various viruses. The technique's versatility allows it to be used with samples from different parts of the body, which is particularly important for diseases like TB that can spread throughout the body. Moreover, PCR variations like qPCR and those combined with RFLP can improve diagnostic specificity by quantifying pathogen load or by detecting specific genetic variations, as seen in sickle cell anemia diagnosis.