In nucleic acid amplification testing, what can cause a false positive?

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Multiple Choice

In nucleic acid amplification testing, what can cause a false positive?

Contamination is the main driver of false positives in nucleic acid amplification testing. These tests are incredibly sensitive, so even trace amounts of nucleic acids from previous runs, environmental DNA, or cross‑contamination can seed amplification and produce a signal that looks like the target is present when it isn’t. That’s why proper workflow and controls are essential: separate areas for sample prep and amplification, rigorous surface decontamination, dedicated equipment, and the use of negative controls to catch any carryover contamination. Primer-dimer formation can sometimes yield non-specific signals, but it’s not the predominant cause of false positives in most NAAT workflows. Inhibitors, on the other hand, tend to block amplification and lead to false negatives rather than false positives.

Contamination is the main driver of false positives in nucleic acid amplification testing. These tests are incredibly sensitive, so even trace amounts of nucleic acids from previous runs, environmental DNA, or cross‑contamination can seed amplification and produce a signal that looks like the target is present when it isn’t. That’s why proper workflow and controls are essential: separate areas for sample prep and amplification, rigorous surface decontamination, dedicated equipment, and the use of negative controls to catch any carryover contamination.

Primer-dimer formation can sometimes yield non-specific signals, but it’s not the predominant cause of false positives in most NAAT workflows. Inhibitors, on the other hand, tend to block amplification and lead to false negatives rather than false positives.

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