Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:
The word AIDS means deficiency of immune system acquired during the lifetime of an individual indicating that it is not a congenital disease. AIDS was first reported in 1981 and in the last 25 years it has spread all over the world killing more than 25 million persons. AIDS is caused by the HIV (Human Immuno deficiency Virus). The people who are at high risk of getting this infection include the individuals who have multiple sexual partners, drug addicts who take drugs intravenously, individuals who require repeated blood transfusions and children born to an HIV infected mother. It is imperative for the physical and psychological well-being that the HIV / AIDS infected persons are not isolated from the family and society. A widely used diagnostic test for AIDS is ELISA. AIDS has no cure, prevention is the best option.
What does ELISA stand for in medical diagnostics?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
ELISA stands for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (the book writes it as enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay). It is a widely used test to diagnose AIDS. “Enzyme-linked” means an enzyme is attached to the antibody, so that a positive result shows up as a colour change.
NCERT Extract:
AIDS – “… A widely used diagnostic test for AIDS is enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). Treatment of AIDS with anti-retroviral drugs is only partially effective.”
Molecular Diagnosis – “… ELISA is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction. Infection by pathogen can be detected by the presence of antigens (proteins, glycoproteins, etc.) or by detecting the antibodies synthesised against the pathogen.”