A Prevalence Study of Typhoid Fever in Taiz and Al-Hodiedah cities in Yemen.

Aims: Typhoid fever is an acute illness associated with fever that is most often caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria. This study was carried out to determine the prevalenece of typhoid fever and distribution among different groups in Al-hodiedah and Taiz hospitals, and to determine the relation between the two governorates. Study Design: Seroprevalence survey. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Taiz hospitals and Al- Hodiedah hospitals in Yemen for about 1500 cases during September to December 2012. Methodology: A total of 1500 cases were randomly collected and examined by Widal test and blood samples for WBC to detect the typhoid fever. Also, the questionnaire data was used for determine the correlation between typhoid fever and other factors such as age, sex, and clinical symptoms, then the data analyzed by spss program. Results: This study found that 151 cases of typhoid fever are positive for widal test from total 1500 specimens was collected from Al-hodiedah hospitals and Taiz hospitals. Also found from 151 positive cases 57 cases for male and 94 cases for female. There were 55 cases the main complain was fever follow by diarrhea 42 cases then abdominal pain 31 cases. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that there is no significant different in the prevalence of typhoid fever between cases collected from Taizhospitals and Al-Hodeida hospitals. Also, no significant different between sex or age and the positive cases. The positive cases were come with different manifestations such as fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Comparison of ABO Antibody Titers on the Basis of the Antibody Detection Method Used

BACKGROUND: Detection methods for ABO antibody (Ab) titers vary across laboratories, and the results are different depending on the method used. We aimed to compare titer values using different detection methods for the measurement of ABO Ab titers. METHODS: For ABO Ab detection, pooled group A or B red blood cells (RBCs) were reacted with each of 20 sera from blood groups A, B, or O without dithiothreitol treatment. The room-temperature (RT) incubation technique and the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) were used in the tube test and gel card test. Flow cytometry (FCM) was performed by using anti-IgM and anti-IgG Abs. RESULTS: Regardless of the blood groups tested, the FCM assay with anti-IgM showed the highest titer compared to the tube test and gel card test with RT incubation in both. The tube test with IAT showed a higher titer than the gel card test with IAT (Gel-IAT) or FCM with anti-IgG in blood group A and B, while Gel-IAT showed the highest titer relative to the other tests, only for the anti-A Ab in blood group O. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in the titers depending on the detection method used, and each method showed a different detection capacity for each ABO Ab depending on the ABO blood group tested. Therefore, caution should be exercised in interpreting ABO Ab titer results, taking into consideration the detection method used and the blood group.

Comparison of Total and IgG ABO Antibody Titers in Healthy Individuals by Using Tube and Column Agglutination Techniques

BACKGROUND: Most immune reactions related to transfusion and transplantation are caused by IgM ABO antibodies. However, IgG also plays an important role in these reactions. Therefore, a method to measure antibodies, including IgG, is necessary. We investigated ABO antibody titers of healthy individuals using a column agglutination technique (CAT) with or without dithiothreitol (DTT) and compared them with titers obtained using a conventional tube method. METHODS: Among healthy adults who underwent a medical examination, 180 individuals (60 with blood group A, 60 with group B, and 60 with group O) were selected. Antibody titrations were performed using the immediate spin (IS) tube, anti-human globulin (AHG) tube, and CAT with or without DTT methods. RESULTS: Higher median values of anti-B and anti-A titers in groups A and B individuals, respectively, were obtained using the IS method than using the AHG method. Higher values for group O individuals were obtained using the AHG method. Higher median titers of anti-B and anti-A in group O individuals were obtained using CAT without DTT than using the AHG method. Median titers of anti-B and anti-A in all blood groups were higher in CAT without DTT than in CAT with DTT, especially for group O individuals. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend CAT with and without DTT for titration of anti-A and anti-B, especially in group O individuals, to provide more sensitive results that include IgG data. Adjustment of insurance coverage of fees associated with antibody titration might be necessary, considering the actual cost of reagents and personnel.