Molecular diagnostics · USMLE Step 1

In molecular diagnostics, what does high analytical sensitivity mean?

  1. Detecting very low amounts of target nucleic acid or pathogen
  2. Detecting only abundant, high-copy-number targets
  3. Detecting post-translational protein modifications
  4. Performing broad-spectrum microbiological culture
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Correct answer: Detecting very low amounts of target nucleic acid or pathogen

High analytical sensitivity refers to the capacity of a molecular assay to detect very small amounts of target nucleic acid (or small number of pathogen copies), enabling early or low-level detection of infections or mutations.

Difficulty: Medium Question 16 of 21

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