With the culture method as a reference standard, we found that TUBEX-TF test was 100% sensitive and 94.12% specific, with 63.16% positive and 100% negative predictive values (NPVs) and the OnSite Typhoid IgG/IgM Combo test was 100% sensitive and 94.35% specific, with 63.16% positive and 100% NPVs. Resultsįrom all the cases diagnosed by the blood culture (n = 136), we enrolled 131 patients for the TUBEX-TF and 136 for the OnSite Typhoid IgG/IgM Combo tests. The diagnostic accuracy of the two kits was evaluated using the culture method as the gold standard. Two rapid kits, the TUBEX-TF and OnSite Typhoid IgG/IgM Combo, were also used in parallel to diagnose typhoid according to manufacturers’ instructions. The standard culture method was used to diagnose the disease. Methodsīlood was collected from patients with clinical signs and symptoms of typhoid in Harare, Zimbabwe during an outbreak.

In this study, two rapid serological kits, TUBEX-TF and OnSite Typhoid IgG/IgM Combo, were evaluated for possible expeditious diagnosis of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi infection during a typhoid outbreak in Zimbabwe. In many parts of Zimbabwe, laboratory capacity to isolate the microorganism by culture method as a way of diagnosis has limitations. Reliable and rapid diagnosis of the bacterium is therefore critical for confirmation of all suspected typhoid cases. Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid, is endemic in most parts of the world especially in Africa.

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