An estimated 13 million cases occur annually in Asia alone and the morbidity and mortality attributable to enteric fever in India still remains enormous. A 2 year retrospective study was done at Microbiology Department, JNMCH, AMU to study the prevalence of enteric fever. The baseline titers were also recorded. Results of Widal test on 7325 serum samples showed significant titers in 704 (10.4%) samples: 662 (94.3%) to
S. typhi – TO & TH, 32 to S. paratyphi A (4.8%), and 10 for S.paratyphi B(1.5%). Prevalence of Enteric fever in Aligarh based on results of Widal test was found to be 10.4% stressing it’s correlation with poor sanitary conditions. Pediatric age group was most affected with no significant sex predilection. Endemicity of enteric fever in Aligarh was also established by Widal test. These findings are of importance in therapeutic decision making and implementing health measures for disease control.
Enteric fever, Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi, Widal, endemicity
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