Authors
AC Ibekwe, IO Okonko, AU Onunkwo, E Donbraye, ET Babalola, BA Onoja
Publication date
2008/9/1
Journal
Scientific Research and Essays
Volume
3
Issue
9
Pages
225-230
Description
This study reports the prevalence of typhoid fever caused by Salmonella typhi between genders. It further establishes the Salmonella titres that are not diagnostically significant but normal in the study population and the titre that could be used as presumptively diagnostic of typhoid fever. Blood samples were collected from 200 subjects; 82 males and 118 females; and examined for the presence and levels of Salmonella antibodies by Widal agglutination technique. Standard S. typhi and Salmonella paratyphi “O” and “H” suspension (ANTEC) were used as antigens. Of the 200 sera tested, agglutinins to S. typhi were most prevalent in male subjects accounting for 39% of the “O” antigens and 41.5% of “H” antigens at the various dilutions while in the 118 female subjects, 10.7% accounts for the “O” and 29.5% for the “H” antigens. There was a male preponderance (M/F 2: 1). Since the positive sera with titres of≥ 80 occurred in more than 5% of the samples, this study therefore suggests that such titres be regarded as normal among the communities studied while there should be a high index of suspicion of clinical infections in titres above 80 when a second serum is impractical. This will improve accurate diagnosis. Improving accurate diagnosis is the surest way to reverse the deteriorating health status of Nigerians.
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