Value of the Widal test in the diagnosis of typhoid fever in an endemic area and suggestions for a modification. A preliminary study.
The Widal test for detection of typhoid fever was introduced in two rural hospitals in Nigeria. Because of undetectably low O agglutination titers, 74 sera were sent overseas for further determination by means of passive haemagglutination with O 9, 12-antigen, Vi-antigen and slide agglutination with H-d antigen suspensions. This full test showed discrepancies with the normal Widal test i.e. a false negative Widal H agglutination in 6 out of 17 patients in West Nigeria and a false positive Widal H test in 28 out of 49 patients in Central Nigeria. The full test should be applicable in a small laboratory, but its value has yet to be established.
Boomsma
L J
LJ
Our Lady's Hospital, Iseyin, Nigeria.
Guinée
P A
PA
Jansen
W H
WH
Maas
H E
HE
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012485:Salmonella typhi / Q000276:immunology; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial