Abstract
Typhoid also known as enteric fever is endemic in Nigeria most often diagnosed by the widal reaction though the results of this test are being questioned in many quarters. This has necessitated the search for other methods for analysis. This work is aimed at comparing the widal reaction with the rapid immunochromatographic assay the complement C3 and selected haematological indices. Two ml of blood was collected from 350 patients with suspected typhoid infection and analysed by the widal slide agglutination reaction and the IgG/IgM Immunochromatographic assay. Complement C3 was assayed by ELISA while neutrophils and Lymphocyte counts were also performed. The finding showed that 41(11.7%) and 29 (8.3%) were positive for S. typhi IgG and IgM respectively out of 350 patients. It was found that 207 patients had O-antigen widal reaction titres 1/80 and above for S. typhi out of which, 30 (14.5%) and 22(22.6%) were IgG and IgM positive respectively. Those with reactions 1/80 and above to the H-antigen were 118 with 24(20.3%) cases of IgG and 13(11.0%) of IgM. The mean neutrophil and lymphocyte count in the IgM positive were 48.90 ± 20.060 and 60.28±17.64 as compared to the negatives (48.46 ±18.95 and 55.02±19.19 respectively). The mean neutrophil and lymphocyte count of IgG positive were 50.68±19.65 and 57.22±19.72) while the negatives were 48.20±1.08 and 55.23±19.04. the mean plasma levels of complement factors C3 in the IgG positive was 630.70±327.41 as compared to those that are negative (626.97±247.72). The complement C3 levels was significantly higher (P =0.000) in the IgM positive (816.45±406) as compared to the IgM negatives (610.33±233.40). No significant association was observed between the clinical features and the typhoid positives.
Highlights
Typhoid known as enteric fever is a caused by a highly virulent Salmonella typhi which is very invasive
The distribution of the S. typhi O antigen titre among the IgG and IgM positives is presented in table 2
A significant association was established between the H antigen and the IgG but not with the IgM positives
Summary
Typhoid known as enteric fever is a caused by a highly virulent Salmonella typhi which is very invasive. The illness is frequently encountered in tropical countries like Nigeria where it constitutes a serious source of morbidities and mortalities (Ibekwe, et al, 2008). Typhoid carriers are of special concern from a public health point of view because they are sources for the spread of diseases (WHO, 2003). Studies to immune response against these microorganisms are still evolving (Mashi, 2001). It has previously been shown that circulating.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
