Evaluation of Widal Test and Leukocyte count Test in diagnosis of Salmonella typhi in Nenavah province : Research submitted by Bushra D. Hamad and Muhsin A. Essa

Abstract

           This study was conducted for evaluating laboratory diagnosis reality of Salmonella typhi which causes typhoid fever that is considered one of an important health problems in Iraq.  Questionnaire study showed, that physicians depend on both of laboratory  results and clinical  symptoms in order to diagnose typhoid fever (83.6) % and there is an limited dependence on clinical  symptoms only (13.7) % or laboratory results only (2.7)% . There are a high rate of these physicians (78)%stated that there were insufficient accuracy about Widal test which is considered the unique laboratory test  used by laboratories, also, results showed  that Widal test represents (95.6)% of laboratory methods which is used to diagnose Salmonella typhi and culturing methods  is limited (4.4)% or not existed .

         When Widal test results were evaluated which is done in different health analysing laboratories in Nenavah province by using  Widal test (dilution method) the results showed great differences of results whether result type (positive or negative) or kind of antigens which showed  positive results.

          When leukocyte count was used as a test to support the diagnosis of typhoid fever, it was shown that there is a relation between   typhoid fever and decreasing leukocyte count in these patients.