ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Definitive diagnosis of Enteric fever is by blood culture for Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi, Paratyphi A, and Paratyphi B which takes long turnaround time and is costly, whereas Widal test is simple, rapid, and cost-effective test whose interpretation depends on the baseline Widal titers among healthy individuals in a defined population. OBJECTIVES: To determine the baseline Widal titers among apparently healthy urban population of district Jammu (J&K). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 302 individuals in the age group of 18-50 years were recruited. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect demographic and clinical details. The Widal testing was done using commercial Salmonella antigen kit. RESULTS: A total of 302 samples were screened by Widal test. 138 samples (45.69%) were reactive for TO antigen and 64 (21.19%) tested reactive for TH antigen, 3 (0.01%) samples showed agglutination for AH antigen and 3 (0.01%) were positive for BH antigen. Majority of seropositive samples were in dilutions of 1:40 for both TO and TH antigens. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, next higher dilutions showing positivity for both TO and TH antigens, i.e., ≥1:80 may be considered diagnostic for enteric fever in the urban population of Jammu district.
ABSTRACT
Research is undertaken to increase scientific knowledge. Knowledge enters the domain of science after it is presented to others. Publishing research, contributes to medical community's knowledge. Research publications earn mileage to the researcher in carrier. Presently, a lot of pressure has built up on medical fraternity to publish in terms of quantity, thereby compromising the quality of papers as official bodies governing the medical professionals have linked the quantity of publications with career growth. These rules are to promote research but they create stress among medical teachers, lowering the quality of research and publications. Hence, It is the responsibility of authors to strictly follow guidelines while doing and publishing research. To promote academic research and deter plagiarism, educational institutions are to establish Academic Misconduct Panel to investigate the allegations, and report to Plagiarism Disciplinary authority which can impose penalties as conduct and publishing of research is a serious issue.
