Widal Slide Agglutination Test

The Widal Slide Agglutination Test is a rapid diagnostic test used to detect antibodies against the Salmonella bacteria, the causative agent of typhoid and paratyphoid fever. It involves mixing a patient's blood serum with Salmonella antigens on a slide. If antibodies are present, they bind to the antigens, causing visible clumping or agglutination. While it can provide a quick indication of a possible typhoid infection, the Widal test has limitations in terms of specificity and sensitivity, and its results should be interpreted carefully in conjunction with other diagnostic tests.