Diagnostic DNA probe technology has been developed and widely used to detect which pathogens?

Introduction / Context:
DNA probe assays and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) revolutionized clinical microbiology by enabling rapid, specific detection of pathogens directly from specimens or cultures. Probes hybridize to unique nucleic acid sequences, providing specificity beyond phenotypic tests.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Targets include bacteria and viruses.
• Clinical examples: tuberculosis diagnostics, hepatitis B screening, and HIV detection/monitoring.
• Probe platforms range from line probes to real-time PCR with sequence-specific oligos.

Concept / Approach:
For Mycobacterium tuberculosis, probes target multicopy regions (for example, IS6110) or rRNA. For HBV and HIV, probes hybridize to conserved viral genomic regions for presence/quantitation and genotyping. The versatility of probe-based methods supports broad application across these pathogens.

Step-by-Step Solution:
List pathogens with established probe assays: M. tuberculosis, HBV, HIV.Recognize that all are valid probe targets in clinical laboratories.Select “All of the above.”

Verification / Alternative check:
Regulatory-cleared assays (for example, hybridization or PCR probes) exist for these organisms in many jurisdictions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Single-pathogen options are incomplete.
• “None” contradicts decades of diagnostics practice.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming probes are limited to bacteria or to culture confirmation only; modern NAATs apply across domains and sample types.

Final Answer:
All of the above