Laboratory diagnosis of typhoid fever in Accra
dc.contributor.author | Mensah, P. | |
dc.contributor.author | Noora, R. | |
dc.contributor.author | Welbeck, I. | |
dc.contributor.author | Nyame, P.K. | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2019-10-24T16:49:43Z | |
dc.date.available | 2019-10-24T16:49:43Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2000-06 | |
dc.description | Journal Article | en_US |
dc.description.abstract | The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the most appropriate method for the diagnosis of Salmonella typhi septicaemia. This involved the culture of blood samples, Widal test and antibiotic sensitivity test. Of 50 patients suspected of having typhoid fever, blood cultures of 38 (76%) yielded no bacterial growth, while 12 (24%) produced bacterial growth. Organisms encountered included Salmonella typhi, Kblebsiella species and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibody to the 0 and H antigens was detected in 20 serum samples using the Widal test. Out of this number, 7 patients diagnosed to have S typhi infection had antibodies titres of 1/80. Convalescent sera from all diagnosed cases of S typhi showed at least a two-fold rise in titre. In addition those infected with Klebsiella sp. and Staphylococci also had low antibodies titres to 0 and H antigens. It was also discovered that 9 patienls who had no bacterial growth also had titres of <1/80 to 0 and H antigens. The S typhi isolates were all sensitive to Cefotaxime and Ofloxacin, both third line drugs so it will be prudent to keep them as such. Although one strain was resistant to Chloramphenicol, it still remains the antibiotic of choice. The widal test, like all inununological assays, cannot be positive by mere detection of antibody but based on a cut-off point. It must, therefore, be carefully interpreted and used together with blood cultures and clinical findings to safely diagnose S. typhi infections. | en_US |
dc.identifier.uri | http://www.ghanamedj.org/archives/GMJ%202000%20Vol%2034%20No%202/Laboratory%20diagnosis.pdf | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/33106 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
dc.publisher | Ghana Medical Journal | en_US |
dc.relation.ispartofseries | 34;2 | |
dc.subject | Widal test | en_US |
dc.subject | typhoid fever | en_US |
dc.subject | Klebsiella sp. | en_US |
dc.subject | blood cultures | en_US |
dc.subject | Accra | en_US |
dc.subject | S typhi | en_US |
dc.title | Laboratory diagnosis of typhoid fever in Accra | en_US |
dc.type | Article | en_US |
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