Baseline Agglutinin Titre of Salmonella Enterica among Healthy Subjects in Idemili South, Anambra, Nigeria: An Aid in Medical Diagnosis

Martins, P.E. ¹Nnamonu, E.I.² Ejilibe, O.C.³ & Uraih, N.⁴

1. Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
2. Department of Biology, Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu
3. Department of Biology, Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu
4. Department of Biological Sciences, Tansian University, Umunya

Email: paul.martins.pg64900@unn.edu.ng¹;martinangelusp@gmail.com,¹ nnamonuei@yahoo.com,²obiagelicejilibe@gmail.com³

ABSTRACT

Sequel to the abundant use of agglutinin titre as diagnostic test for typhoid fever in Nigeria (and most African countries), the prevalence of typhoid and paratyphoid fever caused by Salmonella enterica (serovar: Typhi and Paratyphi) between genders was investigated and the baseline agglutinin titres for both healthy and presumptively diagnostic states were determined. Blood samples (sera / plasma) were collected from equal number of both genders and were examined for the presence and levels of Salmonella antibodies by Widal agglutination technique. Standard S. typhi and S. paratyphi “O” and “H” suspensions were used as antigens. Agglutinins to S. typhi “O” and “H” antigens occurred in 10% and 16% respectively in the total male subjects tested while in the female subjects tested, agglutinins to S. typhi “O” and “H” antigens occurred in 26% and 8% respectively. Also, agglutinins to S. paratyphi C (“O” and “H”) antigens occurred in 40% and 10% respectively in the male subjects while in the female subjects tested, agglutinins to S. paratyphi C (“O” and “H”) antigens occurred in 20% and 16% respectively. Generally, there was no gender predominance based on statistical analysis (Chi square) of the data generated from this study except for the S. paratyphi A-O antigen (higher in female), S. paratyphi C-O antigen (higher in male), and S. typhi O antigen which was also observed to be significantly higher in female. Since the positive sera / plasma with titres of 40 occurred in more than 5% of the samples, this study therefore suggests that such titres be regarded as normal among the communities studied while there should be a high index of skepticism of clinical infections in titres above 40 when a second serum or plasma is impracticable as this will improve diagnosis.

Key Words: Baseline Agglutinin Titre, Widal Test, Enteric Fever