All living organisms contain nucleic acids, including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), and the novel coronavirus is a virus that contains only RNA. After the emergence of the novel coronavirus, our scientists completed the analysis of the whole genome sequence of the novel coronavirus in a very short time, and discovered the specific nucleic acid sequence in the novel coronavirus by comparing it with the genome sequences of other species. To put it plainly, the nucleic acid was screened out by detecting the different characteristics of the new coronavirus from other cells.
Nucleic acid test tubes
The nucleic acid test measures the genetic material RNA within the new coronavirus, and the antigen test measures the proteins on the surface of the virus. The structural proteins of the new coronavirus include the S protein, N protein, M protein and E protein. Once the body is infected with the virus, these structural proteins act as immunogens to stimulate plasma cells to produce specific antibodies. These proteins contain multiple antigenic epitopes that can be utilized to specifically bind antigens to antibodies, which can be used to detect the presence of antigens by antibodies, thus proving the presence of a new coronavirus in the sample. If nucleic acid testing is detecting the inside, antigen testing is detecting the outer coat first.
Antigen testing is not a complete substitute for nucleic acid testing. The National Health Commission emphasized that nucleic acid testing is still the basis for confirming the diagnosis of neo-coronavirus infection, while antigen testing can be used as a complementary tool to screen specific populations and help improve "early detection" capabilities. Primary health care institutions with nucleic acid testing capabilities, should give priority to nucleic acid testing; do not have the ability to nucleic acid testing, antigen testing, so now the public health care institutions with the test are nucleic acid testing, antigen testing is more suitable for families, personal self-test, if you go to the medium and high risk areas, or and suspected new crown infection close contact, and found to have uncomfortable symptoms, can first use antigen reagents If you go to a medium or high risk area, or if you are in close contact with a suspected NIC, or if you have symptoms, you can use antigen reagents first.
Antigen detection reagents
Nucleic acid testing reagents are more accurate than antigen testing reagents, and nucleic acid testing in various medical laboratories is also recognized. Nucleic acid testing generally uses 10 mixed 1, 20 mixed 1 to save costs and improve efficiency, while antigen testing reagents are generally monomer testing. Nucleic acid testing reagents can be filled and then screwed on the cap, while antigen testing reagents are filled and then heated and sealed with aluminum foil.
