RESUMEN
Objective: To determine the cutoff of antibodies directed against Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serotype typhi, paratyphi A, and paratyphi B in normal population in Karbala city, south Iraq
Methods: Widal test was performed for 90 serially diluted serum samples collected from apparently healthy volunteers. A commercial Widal test kit was used. Agglutination results were observed within 1 minute
Results: In the current study, 23.33%, 22.22%, 6.6%, 4.4%, 38.88% and 5.55% of individuals had antibody titre >/=1:20 for S. enterica subspecies enterica serotype typhi O, H, S. enterica serotype paratyphi AO, AH, S. enterica serotype paratyphi BO and BH, respectively
Conclusion: Based on these results, antibody titres of 1:160 for O and H, 1:40 for AO, 1:80 for AH and BH and 1:320 for BO antigens were considered as baseline titre in Karbala