Rapid Fire
Widal Test in Diagnosing Typhoid in India
- 09 May 2024
- 2 min read
The widespread use of the Widal test for diagnosing typhoid in India has raised concerns about its accuracy and implications for public health management.
- The Widal test, a rapid blood test, is extensively used in India for diagnosing typhoid fever, despite its limitations and propensity for erroneous results.
- Typhoid, caused by Salmonella typhi bacteria, spreads through contaminated food and water, presenting as enteric fever with symptoms like high fever, stomach pain, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and rash.
- Some carriers may remain asymptomatic, shedding bacteria for months. Untreated, it can be life-threatening, mimicking other diseases like malaria and influenza.
- The gold standard for diagnosing typhoid involves isolating the bacteria from a patient's blood or bone marrow and growing them in the lab, which is resource-intensive and time-consuming.
- The Widal test detects antibodies against the bacteria but can yield false positives and negatives due to various factors such as prior antibiotic treatment and cross-reactivity with antibodies from other infections or vaccinations.
- Misdiagnosis of typhoid can lead to delayed treatment and complications, contributing to the obscured burden of the disease in India.
- Overuse of antibiotics driven by the Widal test contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing a significant public health threat.
- Improved access to diagnostics and AMR surveillance is vital for addressing typhoid challenges.
