PCR Tutorial

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What is the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR� Test? � What does it measure?

The AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR� is a laboratory test kit that can measure the amount of HIV-1 RNA in human plasma. The amount of HIV in the blood is called the "viral load". The AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR� test uses a technology called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to measure very small amounts of genetic material, known as RNA, that is contained inside the HIV virus particle.

In the Laboratory

AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR� TESTING - The Steps involved

There are a few steps involved in carrying out an AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR� viral load test which takes us from the doctor�s office to the laboratory and back again.

Having an AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR� viral load test can be broken down into three stages:

• Taking a blood sample
• Carrying out the viral load test in the laboratory
• Receiving the results