WIDALS Meaning and
Definition
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Widals is a term commonly used in the medical field, specifically in the context of diagnosing certain diseases, especially typhoid fever. This term refers to the Widals test, which is a diagnostic blood test used to detect antibodies in response to the bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi, the bacteria responsible for typhoid fever.
The Widals test works by detecting the presence of specific antibodies known as agglutinins in the blood. Agglutinins are produced by the immune system when it recognizes the Salmonella typhi bacteria as a threat. The test involves mixing the patient's serum (the liquid portion of blood) with a suspension of live Salmonella typhi bacteria in a test tube. If the patient has been infected with the bacteria, the antibodies present in the serum will cause the bacteria to clump together, a reaction known as agglutination. This clumping indicates the presence of typhoid antibodies in the blood.
The Widals test plays a crucial role in diagnosing typhoid fever, as it provides a specific and reliable means of identifying antibodies against Salmonella typhi. Its results are typically interpreted based on the level of agglutination observed and, in conjunction with other clinical symptoms and laboratory findings, can help confirm a diagnosis of typhoid fever. It is worth noting that other laboratory and clinical findings may also be taken into consideration, as false positives or false negatives can occur with the Widals test. Thus, the Widals test is an important tool that helps healthcare professionals in the accurate diagnosis of typhoid fever.
Common Misspellings for WIDALS
- qidals
- sidals
- eidals
- 3idals
- 2idals
- wudals
- wjdals
- wkdals
- wodals
- w9dals
- w8dals
- wisals
- wixals
- wicals
- wifals
- wirals
- wieals
- widzls
- widsls
- widwls
Etymology of WIDALS
The origins of the word "Widals" can be traced back to the name of a French physician, Georges-Fernand-Isidor Widal (1862-1929). Widal was known for his significant contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in the area of microbiology and infectious diseases.
Widal developed a method for diagnosing typhoid fever, known as the Widal test. This test detected antibodies that were produced by the body in response to the Salmonella typhi bacteria, which causes typhoid fever. The Widal test became widely used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Over time, this diagnostic test became associated with Dr. Widal, and the name "Widal" became synonymous with the test itself. Thus, the term "Widals" evolved as a shorthand way to refer to the Widal test for diagnosing typhoid fever.
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