Immunology

Question 1

How the newborn screening for SCID works?

(December 2021)

Answer 1

Normally, the transcription of DNA for T-cell receptors involves splicing of DNA segments called TRECs (T-cell receptor excision circles) that are not incorporated into the final gene for the T-cell receptor. Infants with SCID have low to undetectable TRECs on quant PCR for TRECs on newborn screen. ~100% sensitive