The clinical diagnosis of typhoid fever depends on the isolation of S. typhi from blood, bone marrow or a specific anatomic lesion in the facilities that cannot afford to perform this complicated and time consuming procedure, Widal test (also referred as Weil-Felix Test) is used to facilitate the diagnosis.
However, many limitations lead to difficulties in the interpretation of the Widal test . In contrast, the Typhoid Rapid Test Dipstick is a simple and rapid laboratory test. The test simultaneously detects and differentiates the IgG and the IgM antibodies to S. typhi specific antigen in whole blood, serum or plasma thus aid in the determination of current or previous exposure the S.typhi.

【DIRECTIONS FOR USE】
Allow test dipstick, specimen, and/or controls to equilibrate to room temperature (15-30°C) prior to testing.
1. Bring the pouch to room temperature before opening it. Remove the test dipstick from the sealed pouch and use it as soon as possible. Best results will be obtained if the assay is performed within one hour.
2. Place the test cards on a clean and level desk, then peel off the strip label of the test cards, stick the test dipstick onto it as soon as possible before testing.
For Serum or Plasma specimen: Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 1 drop of serum or plasma (approximately 40 ul) to the specimen area of the test dipstick, then add 3 drops of buffer (approximately 120 ul),and start the timer, see illustration below.
For Venipuncture Whole Blood specimen: Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 1 drop of whole blood (approximately 40 ul ) to the specimen area of the test dipstick, then add 3 drops of
buffer (approximately 120 ul), and start the timer. See illustration below.
For Fingerstick Whole Blood specimen:
· To use a capillary tube: Fill the capillary tube and transfer approximately 40 ul of fingerstick whole blood specimen to the specimen area of test dipstick, then add 3 drops of buffer (approximately 120 ul) and start the timer. See illustration below.
·To use hanging drops: Allow 1 hanging drop of fingerstick whole blood specimen (approximately 40 ul) to fall into the specimen area of test dipstick, then add 3 drops of buffer (approximately 120 ul) and start the timer. See illustration below.
3. Wait for the colored line(s) to appear. The test result should be read at 15 minutes. Do not interpret the result after 20 minutes.