About:

·    A serological test used for diagnosing typhoid fever.

·    Point-of-care test requiring no special skills or infrastructure.

Purpose:

·    Detects antibodies against Salmonella Typhi in blood, indicating infection.

·    Helps diagnose current or recent infection and assess previous exposure.

Limitations:

·    Single test accuracy is low; multiple tests over days are required.

·    Cross-reactivity with other infections or vaccines can cause false positives.

·    Previous antibiotic use can suppress antibody production, leading to false negatives.

About Typhoid

·       Infectious disease caused by Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi, primarily affecting the intestinal tract.

·       Symptoms include high fever, weakness, stomach pains, headache, loss of appetite, and a rash of flat, rose-coloured spots.

·       It spread through contaminated food or water or close contact with an infected person.

·       Diagnosis: Blood, stool, or urine tests detect S. Typhi bacteria; early detection is crucial.

·       Prevention: Involves vaccination, safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene. Travelers to endemic areas should consider vaccination.