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	Review Education Modules Gaining Efficiencies in Laboratory Workflow Continuing Education Certification				Amplification Assays Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) is the preferred method for STD testing (CDC guidelines) Nonamplified methods are appropriate in some circumstances Advantages of amplified testing include: Greater sensitivity than alternative approaches Can detect very small quantities of target specimen Disadvantages include: Amplification systems are more difficult to implement due to the risk of cross-contamination, which can result in false-positive results Trace amounts of airborne carryover between samples can be detected by modern amplification systems Amplification assays are also subject to inhibition Inhibition occurs when specific molecules in the specimen (inhibitors) block the activity of enzymes in the reaction mix Inhibition causes false-negative results Previous | 62 | Next

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