A 12-year-old child in Nepal presents with a 14-day fever, relative bradycardia, coated tongue, and tender hepatosplenomegaly. Rose spots are visible ...

Question

A 12-year-old child in Nepal presents with a 14-day fever, relative bradycardia, coated tongue, and tender hepatosplenomegaly. Rose spots are visible on the trunk. Widal test shows O titre 1:320 and H titre 1:640. What is the limitation of the Widal test for diagnosing enteric fever?

Accepted Answer

The Widal test is poorly standardised, has low sensitivity and specificity, cross-reacts with other Salmonella species and febrile illnesses, and single-point titres are unreliable in endemic areas where background titres are elevated

Answer

The Widal test has no limitations and is the gold standard for diagnosis

Answer

The Widal test only works in the first 3 days of illness

Answer

The Widal test requires lumbar puncture for CSF analysis

Answer

The Widal test is only available in high-income countries

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): Widal Test Limitations

A 12-year-old child in Nepal presents with a 14-day fever, relative bradycardia, coated tongue, and tender hepatosplenomegaly. Rose spots are visible on the trunk. Widal test shows O titre 1:320 and H titre 1:640. What is the limitation of the Widal test for diagnosing enteric fever?