STUDY OF BASELINE SALMONELLA AGGLUTININ TITER IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL

Introduction: Salmonella typhi and paratyphi A, B & C cause typhoid and paratyphoid fever. This is an acute, life threatening febrile illness. Typhoid fever is a global infection with a fatality rate of 10%. The disease is a cause for concern and a major public health problem in developing countries. Materials and Methods: Study was done in MGM Hospital, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai in 2011 to 2012. Apparently healthy 100 individuals (Blood donors) were randomly selected from blood bank of MGM Hospital. Commercially available antigens containing Salmonella enteric serovar, Typhi O, H, AH & BH antigens were used for screening (slide agglutination) & quantitative (tube agglutination) estimation of antibodies. Screening of total 100 samples was done by slide agglutination method. And positive samples were further tested by tube agglutination method. Dilutions used were 1:20, 1:40, 1:80, 1:160, 1:320, 1:640 and 1:1280. Results: From total 100 samples 87 were males & 13 were females. 75 samples were positive & 25 were negative for salmonella antibodies. From total samples Typhi “O” antibodies were positive in 71 individuals, Typhi “H” in 67, Paratyphi “AH” 6 & Paratyphi “BH” in 1. The maximum titres in healthy individuals were as follows. “TO”-1:40, “TH”-1:40, “AH”-1:40 & “BH”-1:20. Conclusion: Among 100 samples of healthy individuals tested, 75 were positive for agglutinins of Salmonella serotypes. The maximum healthy individuals showed titre of 1:40 for Salmonella typhi “TO”, “TH” & Paratyphi “AH” antibodies. Hence, the titre of 1:80 or more should be considered as suggestive for typhoid fever. For “BH” 1:40 & above is significant. Salmonella antibody titre in normal individuals varies in different geographical areas. Hence normal antibody levels should be determined for particular local area.