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Published on: December 31, 2017
Baseline Widal titres in healthy children
Anand M Patil1, M L Kulkarni, Akhil M Kulkarni
1Department of Pediatrics, J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
Insights
This study determined baseline Widal titres in healthy Davangere children. Most children showed low titres for Salmonella Typhi antigens, with higher titres observed in older children.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Immunology
Background:
- The Widal test is crucial for diagnosing typhoid fever.
- Establishing baseline Widal titres in healthy populations is essential for accurate serodiagnosis.
- Previous data on baseline Widal titres in children from Davangere is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ascertain the baseline Widal agglutinin titres in apparently healthy children residing in Davangere.
- To provide reference values for Widal titres in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 250 healthy children.
- Widal titres were determined using the standard tube agglutination test.
- Analysis included titres against 'O' and 'H' antigens of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ser. Typhi.
Main Results:
- A significant percentage of children (64.2% for 'O' antigen, 67.2% for 'H' antigen) had titres less than 1:20.
- Higher titres (1:40 and 1:80) were observed in a smaller proportion of children.
- Children aged 6 months to 2 years generally exhibited lower titres compared to older children.
Conclusions:
- Established baseline Widal titres for Salmonella Typhi antigens in healthy children from Davangere.
- Age-specific reference ranges were identified, with older children showing potentially higher baseline titres.
- These findings aid in the interpretation of Widal test results for typhoid fever diagnosis in this region.
Objective:
To determine the baseline Widal titres in apparently healthy children in Davangere.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study was done on 250 children. Widal titers were found using tube agglutination test.
Results:
Out of 250,64.2% had a titre of less than 1:20,22.4% had a titre equal to 1:20,9.6% had a titre of 1:40 and 3.6% had a titre of 1:80 to 'O' antigen and 67.2% had a titre of less than 1:20, 21.2% had a titre equal to 1:20, 8% had a titre of 1:40 and 3.6% had a titre of 1:80 to 'H' antigen of S. enterica subsp. enterica ser. Typhi. No children in age group 6 months-2 years had a titre of 1:80 to either antigen. All children in this age group had a titre of less than 1:20 to AH antigen and older children had a titre upto 1:40 dilution.
Conclusion:
Baseline titres for either S. enterica subsp. enterica ser. Typhi antigen in 6 month-2 year was 1:40 and older children was 1:80. Baseline titres for H antigen of S. enterica subsp. enterica ser. Paratyphi A in 6 month-2 year was less than 1:20 and for older children was 1:40 dilution.
