Glossary

DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid, a form of genetic material. Once HIV is inside a cell, its RNA is converted into DNA
DNA PCR - Deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase chain reaction, a nucleic acid test that detects small amounts of DNA
EIA - Enzyme-linked immunoassays, a laboratory test that detects antibodies and antigens/proteins, such as those from HIV
HIV - Human immunodeficiency virus
HVTN - HIV Vaccine Trials Network
J&J - Johnson & Johnson
NAAT - Nucleic acid amplification test, a nucleic acid test with “amplification,” which refers to the technology that is necessary to detect very small amounts of the nucleic acid
NAT - Nucleic acid test, an overall term for tests that detect genetic material (nucleic acid like RNA or DNA)
PCR - Polymerase chain reaction, which refers to the technology used to amplify very small amounts of nucleic acid so that it can be detected
RNA - Ribonucleic acid, a form of genetic material. The genetic material (or genome) of HIV is made of RNA
RNA PCR - Ribonucleic acid polymerase chain reaction, a nucleic acid test that detects small amounts of RNA
TNA - Total nucleic acid test, a test that detects both RNA and DNA
VISP - Vaccine-induced seropositivity
VISR - Vaccine-induced seroreactivity