Question

VDRL antigen is to be tested and analyzed by

• A. Drug inspector
• B. Excise commissioner
• C. Serologist and chemical Examiner
• D. Drug Controller of India

Hint:

Serologists and chemical examiners specialize in testing and analyzing biological samples, including antigens like VDRL.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding VDRL antigen testing.
The VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) antigen test is used to detect antibodies for syphilis. It is tested and analyzed by a serologist and a chemical examiner, who specialize in detecting such infections.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) Drug inspector: Incorrect, drug inspectors do not typically handle the testing of VDRL antigens.
(2) Excise commissioner: Incorrect, excise commissioners are responsible for regulating alcohol and tobacco products, not for testing antigens.
(3) Serologist and chemical Examiner: Correct — Serologists and chemical examiners are involved in the analysis of biological specimens, including VDRL antigens.
(4) Drug Controller of India: Incorrect, the Drug Controller of India oversees drug regulations but is not directly involved in testing VDRL antigens.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (3) Serologist and chemical Examiner.

Answer 2

The question asks who is responsible for testing and analysing the VDRL antigen, a preparation used in the serological test for syphilis. Instead of recalling the fact outright, let's match each option's actual job description against the specific task of testing a diagnostic antigen.

1. Drug inspector: A drug inspector's role is to inspect premises, check licences, and enforce drug law compliance in the field. This is an enforcement role, not a laboratory diagnostic-testing role, so it does not fit testing an antigen preparation.
2. Excise commissioner: This office deals with excise duties, and regulation of alcohol, narcotics and similar excisable goods — a taxation/regulatory function entirely unrelated to serological testing of a diagnostic antigen.
3. Serologist and chemical Examiner: A serologist specialises in the study of blood serum and antibody/antigen reactions, which is exactly the domain of the VDRL test. Combined with a chemical examiner's expertise in analysing the chemical composition and quality of the antigen preparation, this is precisely the pairing of expertise needed to test and certify a VDRL antigen.
4. Drug Controller of India: This is a high-level administrative/regulatory office overseeing overall drug policy and licensing across the country; it does not perform hands-on laboratory testing of individual antigen batches itself.

Since testing an antigen used in serological diagnosis requires specific expertise in serum-antibody reactions and chemical analysis, and only one option combines both of those skill sets, the answer is clear.

Therefore, the correct answer is Serologist and chemical Examiner.