Evaluation of Vi-Passive Hemagglutination, SD $^{(R)}$ Kit, and Widal Test for Serological Diagnosis of Typhoid Fever

In this study, we evaluated Vi-passive hemagglutination (Vi-PHA), SD Salmonella Typhi IgG/IgM ( kit) and Widal test for the rapid laboratory diagnosis of typhoid fever patients. A total of 36 serum samples from febrile patients in Korea from 2005 to 2006 were used. Among 36 patients, 27 were fever patients without typhoid, 9 were typhoid fever. Vi-PHA showed 8 positive results out of 9 typhoid fever patients (sensitivity 88.9%) and 1 positive and 26 negative results out of 27 febrile patients without typhoid (specificity 96.3%). The sensitivity and the specificity of kit were 100% and 92.6%, respectively. However, the sensitivity and the specificity of Widal O & H tests were 88.9%, 100%, and 77.8%, 70.4%, respectively. Consequently, Widal H and kit showed higher sensitivity and Vi-PHA showed higher specificity. To efficient diagnosis, Vi-PHA may be sufficient diagnosis method in acute cases and kit and Widal test may be sufficient in sporadic area and high risk group.