widal's test
Definition
Noun: A serological agglutination test used to diagnose typhoid fever and other infections caused by Salmonella bacteria. The test detects the presence of antibodies in a patient's blood that react to specific Salmonella antigens.
Usage
The term is used specifically in medical and diagnostic contexts to refer to this laboratory procedure. - The doctor ordered Widal's test to confirm the suspected case of enteric fever. - A positive Widal's test, along with clinical symptoms, supports a diagnosis of typhoid.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: While historically significant, the Widal's test has limitations in specificity and is often supplemented or replaced by more modern culture methods or serological tests in many clinical settings.
- Interpretation: A single high titer or a rising titer in paired serum samples is typically required for a diagnostic interpretation of Widal's test results.
Variants and Related Words
- Widal test (alternative spelling, without the possessive 's'): This form is also commonly used.
- Typhoid serology: A broader category of tests that includes the Widal test.
- Agglutination test: The general type of laboratory technique to which the Widal's test belongs.
Synonyms
- Typhoid agglutination test
- Febrile agglutinins test (when referring to the panel that includes testing for typhoid)
Notes
This is a proper noun derived from the name of the French physician Georges-Fernand Widal, who introduced the diagnostic method. It refers to a single, specific diagnostic procedure.
Noun
-
a test for detecting typhoid fever and other salmonella infections
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