Original Article Section: Microbiology Seropositivity of Widal Test in Febrile Illness Cases-A Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Rural Area

ABSTRACT Background: Typhoid fever, caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, remains an important health problem in developing countries including India. Human beings are the only reservoir and host for typhoid fever, which is transmitted by faeco-oral route. The Widal agglutination test is the diagnostic test, commonly used to diagnose typhoid fever. The interpretation of the Widal test depends upon the baseline titre of that area. Aims and objectives: 1.T o know the positivity rate of widal test, 2. To know the titres for both 'O' & 'H' antibodies in typhoid fever. Methods: Widal test was done for 1525 serum samples for detection of antibodies of S. typhi. A titre of more than 1 in 80 for 'O' antibody and 1 in 160 for 'H' antibody was taken as positive in the diagnosis of typhoid fever. Results: 44.78% of samples (683/1525) were from 11-30 years age group. The rate of positivity was increased as the age increases except in the age group of 21-30 yrs. Widal test was positive in 43.01% of samples. Positivity rate was high among females (50.73%) when compared to males (32.34%). Conclusion: 1. The percentage of positivity was 43.01% .2. The rate of positivity was increased as the age increases except in the age group of 21-30 yrs. 3. Positivity rate was high among females (50.73%) when compared to males (32.34%). 4. Highest positivity rate was seen in males in the age group of 51-60 yrs (80.39%) and in females in the age group of above 60 yrs (72.85%)