Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions.
Salmonella typhi is a pathogenic bacterium which causes typhoid fever in human beings. Sustained high fever (39° to 40°C), weakness, stomach pain, constipation, headache and loss of appetite are some of the common symptoms of this disease. Typhoid fever could be confirmed by Widal test. Plasmodium enters the human body as sporozoites. The parasites initially multiply within the liver cells and then attack the red blood cells (RBCs) resulting in their rupture. The rupture of RBCs is associated with release of a toxic substance, haemozoin, which is responsible for the chill and high fever recurring every three to four days. There is lymphoid tissue also located within the lining of the major tracts (respiratory, digestive and urogenital tracts) called mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). In our body, cell growth and differentiation is highly controlled and regulated. In cancer cells, there is breakdown of regulatory mechanisms. Normal cells show a property called contact inhibition by virtue of which contact with other cells inhibits their uncontrolled growth. Cancerous cells just continue to divide giving rise to masses of cells called tumors. Tumors are of two types: benign and malignant. Cannabinoids are a group of chemicals, which interact with cannabinoid receptors present principally in the brain. Generally taken by inhalation and oral ingestion, these are known for their effects on cardiovascular system of the body.
Widal test is used to diagnose -
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Typhoid
Option (1) Malaria — Incorrect. Malaria is caused by the protozoan Plasmodium and spread by the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito. The Widal test does not look for this parasite.
Option (2) Dengue — Incorrect. Dengue is a viral disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes. The Widal test is not used for it.
Option (3) Typhoid — Correct. Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi. It spreads through contaminated food and water and causes sustained high fever (39° to 40°C). The disease is confirmed by the Widal test, which finds antibodies against Salmonella typhi in the patient’s blood.
Option (4) Chikungunya — Incorrect. Chikungunya is also a viral disease spread by Aedes mosquitoes. It is not diagnosed by the Widal test.
Note 1: The passage is taken from NCERT. NTA has put lines of the NCERT text together to make it. Most CUET (UG) questions come straight from NCERT, so study the book line by line, including figures and their titles.
Note 2: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 24-05-2026 (Slot 1), and in CUET (UG) 2023 on 27-05-2023 (Slot 3).