Both PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) are laboratory techniques used to detect the genetic material of a virus, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
- The main difference between the two tests is that PCR detects DNA, while RT-PCR detects RNA. SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, so RT-PCR is used to detect its genetic material.
- RT-PCR involves an additional step of converting RNA into complementary DNA (cDNA) using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase, which can then be amplified and detected using PCR.
- Both PCR and RT-PCR can be used to diagnose COVID-19 by detecting viral RNA in a person's respiratory or other body fluids, but RT-PCR is currently the preferred method for COVID-19 testing due to its higher sensitivity and specificity.
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