IMMUNOLOGIC TESTING

• Which of the following statements about immunologic testing for parasitic diseases is NOT true?

  • Antigen detection methods are more reliable than antibody detection methods.
  • Immunologic tests are readily available in routine laboratories.
  • Immunologic tests serve as an adjunct to standard laboratory protocols.
  • Immunologic tests are used when the diagnostic stage of a parasite is deep within the host's tissues.

  = Immunologic tests are readily available in routine laboratories.
• Which type of immunologic test is more likely to indicate a current infection?

  • Antibody detection test
  • Both types indicate a current infection equally.
  • Neither type can indicate a current infection.
  • Antigen detection test

  = Antigen detection test
• A positive antibody test result in a patient with no previous exposure but a travel history to an endemic area is:

  = Strong evidence of a past infection
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) primarily perform immunologic tests:

  On specimens sent by reference laboratories
• Nucleic acid tests for parasitic diseases are primarily performed in:

  =  Molecular research laboratories
• Currently, the only commercially available molecular test is for the diagnosis of:

  = Trichomoniasis
• Immunologic tests are used when:

  =  Invasive procedures for detection are not feasible
• Which of the following is NOT a type of immunologic test?

  • Western blot
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
  • Immunofluorescence assay (IFA)
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

  = Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
• Ongoing research aims to develop new techniques in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases primarily to:

  = Replace current standard techniques