Page 121 - 78 glossary of hivaids-related terms_opt

Reverse Transcriptase (RT)
An enzyme found in HIV and other retroviruses. RT converts single-
stranded HIV RNA into double-stranded HIV DNA. Some anti-HIV
drugs interfere with this stage of HIV’s life cycle.
See Also: Nucleoside Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI)
Nucleotide Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NtRTI)
Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI)
Provirus
Retrovirus

Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)
A laboratory test that measures the amount of HIV RNA (also known
as viral load) in a blood sample by replicating HIV’s genetic material
to measurable levels. RT-PCR is the primary way that health care
providers monitor HIV infection and its treatment.
See Also: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Viral Load (VL)

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)
Chemical structure that carries genetic instructions for protein
synthesis. Although DNA is the primary genetic material of cells,
RNA is the genetic material for some viruses.
See Also: Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
Messenger RNA (mRNA)

RNA R
See: Ribonucleic Acid

RT
See: Reverse Transcriptase

RT-PCR
See: Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction

HIV/AIDS Glossary 119