PREDICTION OF TYPHOID FEVER ON THE BASIS OF BLOOD PARAMETERS, A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Background: Salmonella Typhi is highly prevalent in this part of the world and calls for research into accurately predicting the infection on the basis of various blood parameters while awaiting the blood culture reports.Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Internal Medicine, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from 1st August, 2021 to 30 July, 2022. A total of 400 adult patients of either sex, between 18 to 70 years of age, with history of fever, and symptoms suggestive of typhoid fever for the past 07 days were included. The patients were categorized into cases and control groups on the basis of the blood culture reports. The stratification of the general variables against the eosinopenia and leukopenia was analyzed followed by further application of logistic regression to allow true estimation of the association.Results: The age distribution amongst the control and the cases group was 46.14 & PLUSMN;17.3SD and 47.03 & PLUSMN;16.7SD respectively. Leukopenia was observed statistically more (p value .000) in the cases as compared to the control group whereas no such statistically significant association was observed in case of eosinopenia. Further stratification with respect to age and gender didn't show any association in cases of eosinopenia and leukopenia. Logistic regression showed presence of leukopenia was seven times and eosinopenia was twice more in culture positive patients with culture positivity increase with unit increase in the leukopenia.Conclusion: In an appropriate clinical scenario, with history of ongoing fever for 1 week with associated unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms and evidence of leukopenia on the initial blood film, the diagnosis of typhoid fever is highly likely.