Objective: To evaluate the validity of typhidot test in the diagnosis of enteric fever in symptomatic children keeping blood culture as gold standard
Methodology: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at pediatric ward of Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from July 30, 2013 to January 31, 2014. Patients of either gender with age between 1-12 years with fever 38oC and above lasting for at least 3 days were included. All had Typhidot and blood culture. Provisional diagnosis of enteric fever was made on the basis of history of fever ≥ 38oC lasting at least 3 days with or without abdominal pain, coated tongue, vomiting, constipation/diarrhea, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, and rose spots.
Results: Total number of patients was 129. Mean age was 7.75±4 years. Mean duration of fever was 6.73±1.99 days. There were 89 (69%) male patients and 40 (31%) females. Vomiting was observed in 44 (34.1%) patients, coated tongue 64 (49.6%), constipation 11 (8.5%), diarrhea 31 (24%), splenomegaly 35 (27.1%), Hepatomegaly 58 (45%) and rose spots 75 (58.1%). Typhidot IgM was positive in 94 (72.9%) and blood culture was positive in 108 (83.7%) patients. Overall validity of typhidot showed that sensitivity was 83%, specificity 81%, PPV 96% and NPV 49%.
Conclusion: The validity of typhidot test in the diagnosis of enteric fever in symptomatic children was found to be satisfactory
Key words: Typhidot Test, enteric fever, fever in children
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