29/11/2023
Interpretation of Widal Test-Tube Method
If you have typhoid fever and there is some agglutination, you will see that the 9th tube (positive control) will look similar to one of the eight other tubes. If there is no enteric fever, there will be no change in the normal range of the eight tubes and widal test.
If the tube that showed agglutination has a titre of more than 1:100 in case of O and 1: 200 in H, it will be widal test positive (active infection). Other than this, rest titers are considered the normal range of a widal test.
Limitations of Widal Test
No doubt, the widal test is a quick and effective way to diagnose typhoid fever, but it has some limitations as well, including:
The results of the Widal test can be falsely positive in the case of past vaccination or S. Typhi infection.
The Widal test is time-consuming; until a diagnosis is made, it becomes too late to start the treatment.
A widal test can not distinguish between a patient's past infection, current infection, or a S. Typhi vaccination.
The test results can be falsely positive in typhus, acute falciparum malaria, chronic liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome and myelomatosis.
Because so many factors can influence the test results, it is better to not just depend on this test for typhoid diagnosis.
However, it is always best to choose trustable labs regarding screening. A delay or ineffective screening can cause a delay in the treatment.