Question

Widal test is carried out to test

• A. Malaria
• B. Diabetes mellitus
• C. HIV/AIDS
• D. Typhoid fever

Hint:

The Widal test is used for detecting the presence of antibodies against Salmonella organisms. 

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The Widal test is used for detecting the presence of antibodies against Salmonella organisms. It is an agglutination test that was originally developed by G.F.I Widal.  

 It is used to diagnose the presence of the disease in a patient. The Widal test is a serological diagnostic test to diagnose typhoid fever.

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Alternate Approach

Proper diagnosis of any disease is a must in order to treat it. The Widal test is commonly performed to detect bacterial diseases. Bacteria are one of the most dominant pathogens. Typhoid is a bacterial disease while malaria is a protozoan and viral disease respectively.

Complete answer:

For the diagnosis of typhoid fever, a Widal test is performed. This test can determine if typhoid-causing bacteria are present in the bloodstream of an individual. The presence of serum antibodies against the bacteria Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi is detected using an agglutination test.

People who are infected with these enteric bacteria develop antibodies against either somatic antigen (O) or flagellar antigen (H). If the antibodies from the serum react with the antigens, an agglutination reaction happens. It, therefore, indicates the presence of the bacteria. 

Additional information:

TEST TO DIAGNOSE MALARIAL FEVER: Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted via the bite of an Anopheles mosquito. Various tests are used for detecting malaria; however, the most common method is the microscopic analysis of a blood smear.

Hence, the Widal test is carried out to test typhoid fever.

Note: Widal test is used to diagnose enteric fever caused by the enteric bacteria Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi. This bacterial infection spreads through contaminated food and water and also through contact with an infected person. It can lead to severe complications if left untreated.