Paper I
2024 December (Supplementary) (2019 Scheme) · 100 marks · 180 min

Question

Western blot test for HIV

  1. is a supplemental test
  2. Is a confirmatory test as it detects antigens of HIV
  3. Detects antibodies against HIV
  4. is based on immunoblotting technique a) 1, 2, 3 are correct b) 1, 2, 4 are correct c) 1, 3, 4 are correct d) 2, 3, 4 are correct
  • a) 1, 2, 3 are correct
  • b) 1, 2, 4 are correct
  • c) 1, 3, 4 are correct
  • d) 2, 3, 4 are correct
Qvii1 marksMCQs

Answer

The Western blot test for HIV is a confirmatory serological test, detecting antibody directed against specific individual HIV structural proteins separated by molecular weight — envelope glycoproteins (gp160, gp120, gp41) and core/gag proteins (p24, p17, p55) and polymerase (pol) gene products. A sample is typically classified positive if it shows reactivity to a defined combination of these bands (per WHO/CDC criteria, e.g., reactivity to at least two of gp41, gp120/160, and p24), indeterminate if it shows some but insufficient band reactivity, and negative if no bands are present. It has traditionally been used to confirm a reactive screening ELISA/rapid test result, though many current national testing algorithms (including NACO’s Strategy III) now use a sequence of different ELISA/rapid tests rather than Western blot as the confirmatory step. Without the original four numbered statements from the source question, the specific combination intended by the examiner cannot be confirmed.

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