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What Does The Widal Test Result Indicate?
Question: Dr. Mintz, I have my Widal Tube results as below. Do I have typhoid?
S TYPHI 'O' < 1:60
S TYPHI 'H' < 1:60
S PARATYPHI 'AH' < 1:60
S PARATYPHI 'BH' < 1:60
S TYPHI 'O' < 1:60
S TYPHI 'H' < 1:60
S PARATYPHI 'AH' < 1:60
S PARATYPHI 'BH' < 1:60
Brief Answer:
Repeat test necessary before concluding typhoid
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
The Widal test is positive if TO antigen titer is more than 1:160 in an active infection, or if TH antigen titer is more than 1:160 in past infection or in immunized persons. However a single Widal
test is of little clinical relevance due to the number of cross reacting infections, including malaria.
If no other tests (either bacteriologic culture or more specific serology) are available, a fourfold increase in the titer (e.g., from 1:40 to 1:160) in the course of the infection, would be consistent with a typhoid infection.
In your case your T0 titre is <1:160,TH titre also <1:160, hence no conclusion can be drawn unless you undergo a repeat Widal test in the course of infection ,say 1 week apart.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
Repeat test necessary before concluding typhoid
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.
The Widal test is positive if TO antigen titer is more than 1:160 in an active infection, or if TH antigen titer is more than 1:160 in past infection or in immunized persons. However a single Widal
test is of little clinical relevance due to the number of cross reacting infections, including malaria.
If no other tests (either bacteriologic culture or more specific serology) are available, a fourfold increase in the titer (e.g., from 1:40 to 1:160) in the course of the infection, would be consistent with a typhoid infection.
In your case your T0 titre is <1:160,TH titre also <1:160, hence no conclusion can be drawn unless you undergo a repeat Widal test in the course of infection ,say 1 week apart.
Regards
Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. XXXXXXX
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