Modified Vi tests in the screening of typhoid carriers

Two tests for the estimation of Vi antibody in sera were studied and their validity in the screening of typhoid carriers was assessed. One was a modified Vi haemagglutination test in which Vi-coated glutaraldehyde-fixed erythrocytes were used as the antigen and Vi antibody resistant to treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol was titrated. The other was a fluorescent Vi antibody test in which acetone-fixed bacterial Vi cells were used as the antigen and the total Vi antibody was titrated. In both tests, the antigens used were stable so that standardization of the tests would not be difficult. The modified Vi haemagglutination test was found equally sensitive but more specific in giving less false positives than the conventional Vi haemagglutination test. The fluorescent Vi antibody test was however found superior to both tests not only in giving less false positives but also in detecting more typhoid carriers.