ENTERIC FEVER - OVER DIAGNOSIS BY SLIDE WIDAL TEST

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To study the diagnostic reliability of Slide widal test with Tube widal test in the diagnosis of enteric fever. METHODS Serum samples were obtained from 150 patients, clinically suspected to have Typhoid fever. Moreover, serum samples were also obtained from 25 patients with febrile diseases other than typhoid fever. All samples were tested using Slide widal test, qualitatively and semiquantitatively and Tube widal test in the Microbiology Diagnostic Laboratory, CMCH over a period of 3 months ( July 2011 September 2011). RESULTS Slide widal test showed many false positive reactions which were negative by Tube widal test and clinically proved to be non - enteric cases. CONCLUSION. Slide widal test should not be used in the serological diagnosis of enteric fever and laboratories should perform only Tube widal test, which is conventional, best for detecting antibodies and can be done in any set up .