Typhoid is a common problem in developing countries. Cultivation of bacterb and serology (especially Widal test) give unacceptable levels of false-negative and false-positive results, respectively. In this study polymerase chain reaction-based technique (which has 100% specificity for Salmonella twill) was compared with blood culture and Widal test during the first week of illness of 29 suspected cases or typhoid. The respective figures of positivity for PCI2, blood culture, and Widal test were 68.9%, 34.4%, and 37.9%. A control group of 5 healthy persons gave figures of 0%, 0%, and 40%, respectively.
Conclusion; We conclude that this PCR-based technique is not only absolutel> specific, but also very sensitive and, therefore, much superior to blood culture and \Vidal test for the early diagnosis of typhoid |
