A Comparative Study of Rapid Salmonella‑IgM Test (Typhi-dot M) and Widal Test in the Diagnosis of Enteric Fever in a Tertiary Hospital

Typhoid fever is a noted cause of morbidity worldwide and a major public health problem in India and other developing countries. An early and accurate diagnosis is essential for a prompt and effective treatment. The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the efficacy of rapid Salmonella‑IgM test (Typhi-dot M) and Widal test in both blood culture positive and negative patients in the diagnosis of enteric fever in a tertiary hospital. A total 794 patients serum samples were tested by rapid Salmonella‑IgM test (Typhi-dot M), Widal test and blood culture. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of Typhidot‑IgM test, considering blood culture positive for S. typhi as gold standard, were 93.04%, 80.08 %, 74.14% and 94.93 % respectively and 36.09%, 58.53%, 34.82% and 59.87% respectively for Widal test. Rapid Salmonella‑IgM test (Typhi-dot M) is significantly more sensitive and specific as compared to Widal test in the diagnosis of enteric fever. It can be utilized in conjunction with blood culture for diagnosis of enteric fever.