Typhidot Test in Kolkata | Home Collection & NABL-Certified Results

Apollo Diagnostics | NABL-Certified Lab | No Fasting Required | Priority Home Collection During Fever

What is a Typhidot Test?

The Typhidot Test is a modern rapid serological test used to diagnose typhoid fever by detecting specific IgM and IgG antibodies against the Salmonella typhi bacteria. Unlike the traditional Widal test which looks for general agglutination to O and H antigens, the Typhidot uses a dot ELISA-based method to identify antibodies against the specific outer membrane protein (OMP) of S. Typhi. This makes it significantly more specific and less prone to false positives. A Typhidot test can often detect infection within 2–3 days of fever onset — earlier than the Widal test.

⚠ Important: No fasting is required. The Typhidot IgM becomes detectable from around Day 4–5 of fever — earlier than the Widal test. If fever has been present for less than 3 days, the test may be negative even in active typhoid. In that case repeat testing after 48–72 hours or order alongside a Blood Culture for the most complete evaluation.

Understanding IgM and IgG Antibodies in Typhidot

A key advantage of the Typhidot is its ability to differentiate between stages of infection:

• IgM Positive — indicates a recent or acute S. Typhi infection. IgM antibodies are the first to appear when the body fights the bacteria, typically from Day 4–5 of fever.
• IgG Positive — suggests a past resolved infection, chronic carriage or a resolving stage of the current disease. IgG persists for months to years after recovery.
• Both IgM and IgG Positive — usually indicates an ongoing acute infection or reinfection in someone who has had typhoid before.
• Both Negative — typhoid unlikely if fever has been present for more than 5 days; consider other diagnoses or order Blood Culture.

Interpreting Typhidot Results

IgM	IgG	Interpretation
Positive	Negative	Acute primary typhoid infection — treat immediately
Positive	Positive	Acute infection with prior exposure — treat immediately
Negative	Positive	Past resolved infection — not current active disease
Negative	Negative	Typhoid unlikely after Day 5 — consider other diagnoses

Your doctor will interpret Typhidot results alongside your fever duration, CBC findings and clinical symptoms for accurate diagnosis.

Typhidot vs Widal — Why Typhidot is More Reliable

Key advantages of Typhidot over Widal:

• Earlier detection — Typhidot IgM detectable from Day 4–5. Widal requires Day 7–10 to be meaningful.
• Higher specificity — Typhidot targets the specific OMP antigen of S. Typhi. Widal cross-reacts with other Salmonella species and non-typhoid febrile illnesses.
• Less affected by endemic background titers — Widal has a high false positive rate in endemic areas like Kolkata. Typhidot is less affected by prior subclinical exposure.
• Distinguishes IgM vs IgG — Typhidot tells you whether the infection is current (IgM) or past (IgG). Widal titers alone cannot reliably make this distinction.
• Not affected by typhoid vaccination — Widal can give false positives in vaccinated individuals. Typhidot OMP-based test is not significantly affected by vaccination.

When is a Typhidot Test Recommended?

Your doctor may recommend a Typhidot test if you:

• Have persistent fever above 38.5°C for 3–7 days
• Have symptoms suggestive of typhoid — abdominal pain, extreme weakness, headache, relative bradycardia
• Need earlier diagnosis than the Widal test can provide
• Have a negative Widal result but symptoms persist
• Have recently consumed street food or potentially contaminated water
• Are in a typhoid-endemic area like Kolkata with prolonged unexplained fever
• Need to confirm whether a current fever is new typhoid or residual past infection

What Conditions Does Typhidot Help Diagnose?

• Acute typhoid fever (S. Typhi)
• Differentiation of current vs past typhoid infection
• Typhoid in vaccinated individuals (where Widal may be falsely positive)
• Undifferentiated prolonged fever — ruling in or out typhoid alongside dengue and malaria panels

Typhidot Test Price in Kolkata

Typhidot Test Price: ₹670
No fasting required  |  Detects from Day 4–5 of fever  |  Free home collection above ₹2,000

Tests Commonly Ordered Alongside Typhidot

• Widal Test — ordered alongside Typhidot after Day 7 for comprehensive typhoid confirmation
• CBC (Complete Blood Count) — typhoid causes leukopenia (low WBC), relative lymphocytosis and eosinopenia. Monitors platelet count throughout illness.
• Blood Culture — the definitive gold standard for typhoid. Ordered when Typhidot is equivocal or for antibiotic sensitivity testing.
• Dengue NS1 + IgM/IgG — dengue and typhoid have overlapping symptoms and co-occur in Kolkata
• Malaria Antigen + MP Smear — malaria must be ruled out in any prolonged undifferentiated fever
• LFT (Liver Function Test) — typhoid can cause hepatitis with elevated liver enzymes

Home Collection for Typhidot Test in Kolkata

Apollo Diagnostics provides priority home blood sample collection for Typhidot tests across North and Central Kolkata. Typhoid patients are severely weakened and should not travel to a lab. Our phlebotomists come to you with sterile equipment and samples are processed at our NABL-certified central laboratory with results typically delivered the same day.

• Home collection available: 7:00 AM – 2:30 PM Daily
• No fasting required — test any time of day
• Priority collection for febrile patients
• Free home collection on orders above ₹2,000
• Digital reports delivered to WhatsApp within 10–12 hours

📞 Book Typhidot Test via WhatsApp — +91 8660434628

Quick Links

→ Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar → Full List of Individual Tests → Book Home Collection → Full Body Checkup Packages

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the Typhidot test used for?

The Typhidot test detects IgM and IgG antibodies specific to Salmonella typhi to diagnose typhoid fever. It is more specific than the Widal test, detects infection earlier (from Day 4–5 of fever) and distinguishes between current active infection (IgM positive) and past resolved infection (IgG positive only). It is the preferred serological test for early typhoid diagnosis in Kolkata.

Q2. What does Typhidot IgM positive mean?

A positive Typhidot IgM result indicates an acute recent S. Typhi infection. IgM antibodies are the first to appear — typically from Day 4–5 of fever — and indicate the body is actively fighting a current typhoid infection. IgM positive alone (without IgG) indicates a primary typhoid infection in someone not previously exposed.

Q3. Does the Typhidot test require fasting?

No. The Typhidot test does not require fasting. The blood sample can be taken at any time of day. The test becomes most meaningful after Day 4–5 of continuous fever. If tested earlier and negative, repeat after 48–72 hours if fever persists.

Q4. What is the Typhidot test price at Apollo Diagnostics Kolkata?

The Typhidot test price at Apollo Diagnostics is ₹670. No fasting required. Home collection is available free on orders above ₹2,000.

Q5. What is the difference between Typhidot and Widal tests?

The Typhidot detects IgM and IgG antibodies to a specific outer membrane protein (OMP) of S. Typhi using dot ELISA. It is more specific, detects infection earlier (Day 4–5 vs Day 7–10 for Widal), is less affected by endemic background titers and distinguishes current from past infection. The Widal test detects agglutination to O and H antigens, is older technology, more prone to false positives in endemic areas and cannot reliably differentiate current from past infection.

Q6. Can Typhidot be negative in active typhoid?

Yes. If the test is done in the first 3–4 days of fever before IgM antibodies have developed to detectable levels, the result may be falsely negative. This is why repeat testing after 48–72 hours is recommended if fever persists and typhoid is clinically suspected. A Blood Culture is the gold standard and should be ordered when serological tests are equivocal.

Q7. Is Typhidot affected by typhoid vaccination?

The Typhidot OMP-based test is significantly less affected by prior typhoid vaccination than the Widal test. The Widal test can give false positive results in people who have received typhoid vaccine as the vaccine stimulates H and O antibodies — the same ones the Widal detects. The Typhidot targets a different antigen (OMP) not stimulated by most commercial typhoid vaccines, making it more reliable in vaccinated individuals.

Q8. Is home collection available for Typhidot test in Kolkata?

Yes. Apollo Diagnostics provides priority home blood collection for Typhidot tests across Dum Dum, South Dum Dum, Nagerbazar, Satgachi, Baguiati, Lake Town, Bangur, Kaikhali, Sealdah, Entally, Phoolbagan, Tangra and surrounding areas. Typhoid patients should not travel — book home collection by calling or WhatsApping +91 8660434628.

Q9. How long does it take to get Typhidot test results?

Typhidot results are typically delivered within 10–12 hours of sample collection. Reports are sent digitally to your WhatsApp or email for immediate sharing with your doctor.

Q10. Which centre processes my Typhidot sample in Kolkata?

All samples collected across North and Central Kolkata are processed at Apollo Diagnostics Nagerbazar — Nandarani Apartment, 8A Narasingha Avenue, Nagerbazar, Dum Dum, Kolkata 700074. Our lab is NABL-certified and ISO-certified.