Which technique is now routinely used to detect HIV in suspected AIDS patients ?

Options

A. PCR
B. Serum analysis
C. Both (1) & (2)
D. Urine analysis

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding HIV**: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that primarily attacks the immune system, specifically targeting CD4+ T cells, which are crucial for immune response.

2. **Identifying the Techniques**: The question asks about the techniques used to detect HIV in suspected AIDS patients. The options provided are:
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- Serum analysis
- Both PCR and serum analysis
- Urine analysis

3. **Analyzing the Techniques**:
- **PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)**: This is a molecular technique used to amplify small segments of DNA. In the context of HIV, PCR can detect the viral RNA or DNA in a patient's blood, making it a highly sensitive method for diagnosing HIV infection.
- **Serum Analysis**: This typically involves testing the blood serum for antibodies against HIV. While this is a common method, it may not detect HIV during the early stages of infection when antibodies are not yet present.
- **Urine Analysis**: This method is not routinely used for HIV detection and is less reliable compared to blood tests.

4. **Conclusion**: Given that PCR is a highly sensitive and specific method for detecting HIV, especially in the early stages of infection, it is the technique that is now routinely used to detect HIV in suspected AIDS patients.

5. **Final Answer**: The correct answer is **PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)**.

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