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Widal Test (Slide Agglutination)

₹300

General Diagnostics Pvt Ltd

4.2

NABL, ISO

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Overview

Interpreting Results

FAQ's

Overview of Widal Test (Slide Agglutination)

What is Widal Test (Slide Agglutination)?

Widal test (Slide agglutination) is a blood test which detects Enteric fever (Typhoid fever and Paratyphoid fever). Enteric fever is a systemic infection caused by bacteria, mainly because of the ingestion of contaminated food or water. This test is performed using the slide agglutination method.

Why is Widal Test (Slide Agglutination) done?

Widal test is performed:

To diagnose Enteric fever (Typhoid and Paratyphoid fever).

What does Widal Test (Slide Agglutination) Measure?

The Widal test measures the titres of antibody against the bacteria which cause Enteric fever.

Typhoid and paratyphoid fever are generally acquired when you consume food or water, contaminated by feces of an acutely infected or convalescent person (recovering from disease) or a chronic, asymptomatic carrier. The incubation period (the time interval between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms) of Enteric fever is 6-30 days.

Typhoid fever has a gradual onset. In the beginning, there is an increasing feeling of fatigue along with a fever which increases with every passing day. By the fourth or fifth day the fever may vary from low-grade to as high as 102°F–104°F (38°C–40°C). Known as the Stepladder fever pattern, this was once the hallmark symptom of Typhoid but is now witnessed in very few cases The patient may suffer from a headache, weakness, and loss of appetite. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation are common but not threatening. A transient rash of rose-colored spots can occasionally be seen on the trunk (Rose spots). The disease can last for a month, if untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment is important as life-threatening complications of typhoid fever generally occur after 2–3 weeks of illness and may include intestinal bleeding or perforation.

Paratyphoid fever is similar but often less severe than typhoid fever.

Widal test is an agglutination test to detect antibodies (agglutinins) in a blood sample against two antigens (O & H) of bacteria, Salmonella enterica. Agglutination refers to the visible clumping of particles when a particulate antigen combines with its antibody in the presence of optimum conditions for antigen-antibody reaction. When this test is performed on a slide, it is called Slide agglutination and when it is carried out in a test tube, it is called Tube agglutination. Widal test by Tube agglutination is recommended over Slide agglutination method. The antigens used in the test are “H” and “O” antigens of Salmonella Typhi and “H” antigen of S. Paratyphi.

Widal test should only be performed after the first week. The reason being the antibody against “O” and “H” antigens of Salmonella start appearing in serum at the end of the first week of fever. It is preferable to test two blood samples at an interval of 7 to 10 days to demonstrate rising antibody titres.

Preparation for Widal Test (Slide Agglutination)

No special preparation required

Sample Type for Widal Test (Slide Agglutination)

The sample type collected for Widal Test (Slide Agglutination) is: Blood

Interpreting Widal Test (Slide Agglutination) results

Interpretations

If the antibody against Salmonella is present in the patient’s serum, it will react with the respective antigen in the reagent and give visible agglutination (clumping) on the test slide.

The highest dilution of the patient’s serum sample that gives a visible agglutination with the Widal test antigen suspensions is the antibody titre.

The serum sample which shows the titre of 1:80 or more for O agglutination and 1:160 or more for H agglutination indicates active infection. A rise in titres (4-fold or more) in the two blood samples taken 10 days apart confirms the diagnosis. Please note that different labs may have different reference values for the interpretation of the Widal test.

The interpretation of a Widal test is greatly influenced by the nature and extent of the patient’s previous contact with typhoid antigens. It can be either due to clinical or subclinical infection with typhoid or related organisms or from typhoid vaccination. The lesser the extent of the previous contact, the greater is the usefulness of the Widal test.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Widal Test (Slide Agglutination)

Frequently Asked Questions about Widal Test (Slide Agglutination)

Q. How is this test performed?

This test is performed on a blood sample. A syringe with a fine needle is used to withdraw blood sample from a blood vessel in your arm generally from the inner side of the elbow area. The doctor, nurse or the phlebotomist will tie an elastic band around your arm which will help the blood vessels to swell with blood. This makes it easier to withdraw blood. You may be asked to tightly clench your fist. Once the veins are clearly visible, the area is cleaned with an antiseptic solution and then the needle is inserted into the blood vessel to collect the sample. You may feel a tiny pinprick during the procedure. Blood sample once collected is then sent to the laboratory.

Q. Is there any risk associated with this test?

There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.

Q. Is there any preparation required before the test?

Inform the doctor about the medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before this test.

Q. What are the different methods for performing Widal test?

Widal test can be performed by the following two different methods: 1. Slide agglutination Widal test Qualitative Slide Test Quantitative Slide Test 2. Tube agglutination Widal test Tube agglutination is the recommended method as it has more accuracy. However, Slide agglutination is preferred by some as it gives the rapid result. Tube agglutination method requires approximately 18 hours for test completion.

Q. What are the limitations of Widal test?

The limitations of Widal test are: Previous typhoid vaccination may result in increased antibody titres in the non-infected persons False positive Widal test can occur in patients with non-enteric Salmonella infection, for example Typhus, Immunological disorders, chronic liver disease, Malaria and cryptococcal meningitis Prior use of antibiotics can affect antibody response giving a low titre in the Widal test even in the presence of bacteriologically confirmed typhoid fever The Widal agglutination titre varies with the geographic location based on the prevalence of Salmonella infection in that area Past infection with serotype Typhi or another nontyphoidal Salmonella serotype also results in false positive Widal test

Q. What are the other tests to diagnose Enteric fever?

The other tests which are used to diagnose Enteric fever include: Blood culture test Typhidot test Stool culture test Urine culture test Blood culture is the recommended method for diagnosing Enteric fever and is performed during the first week of fever. Bone marrow sample can be used for diagnosis if other tests are inconclusive.

Q. How can you prevent typhoid fever?

Typhoid fever can be prevented by two basic actions: Avoiding contaminated foods and drinks Vaccination against typhoid fever

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Provided By

General Diagnostics Pvt Ltd

4.2

NABL

ISO

General Diagnostics Pvt Ltd is a medical technology company and provider of high-end Preventive Screening and Diagnostic tests with a special focus on metabolomics. General Diagnostics Pvt Ltd is also a Technology Solution Provider to laboratories world-wide offering services based on high end chromatographic instruments. Since its inception about a decade ago, General Diagnostics Pvt Ltd has been continually evolving, transforming and thriving in this ever changing field through its innovations, operational efficiency, and creation of breakthrough solutions. General Diagnostics Pvt Ltd has to its credit the world's most comprehensive genetic metabolic screening test, in addition to several other preventive tests which help address health conditions like diabetes, weight problems, food intolerances, allergies and dysbiosis.