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Glite Dictionary
Widal test

Widal test

6.4
A blood test that checks for antibodies to the bacteria that cause typhoid fever
  • noun
  • /ˈwaɪdəl tɛst/
  • Specialized
: prueba de Widal
  • The doctor ordered a Widal test to confirm the diagnosis of typhoid fever.

Examples

  • Although the Widal test is still used, newer blood culture methods are often more accurate.

  • A positive Widal test result may indicate an infection with Salmonella bacteria.

  • The doctor ordered a Widal test for the patient.

  • Have you had a Widal test done recently?

  • The doctor ordered a Widal test to confirm a suspected case of typhoid fever.

  • A Widal test can help detect infections caused by Salmonella in patients.

  • After showing symptoms of fever, the patient underwent a Widal test for diagnosis.

Synonyms

Widal's test
vsWidal test
  • Specialized
7.2

A blood test that finds antibodies to Salmonella to detect typhoid fever

is the non possessive modern naming of the identical antibody diagnostic procedure

Surface Forms

Widal test singular
Widal tests plural

Morphology

Widal + test

The element 'Widal' is an eponymic proper name with no transparent lexical meaning, so a learner who only knows the words would only infer that this is some kind of 'test' but not that it detects typhoid/Salmonella. The specific diagnostic meaning is not derivable from the constituents and requires prior exposure or medical knowledge, making the expression idiomatic in use.

Etymology

Widal test is named after a doctor, Widal, who used a simple reaction in a patient's blood to find signs of 'typhoid fever'. That's why Widal test today means a blood test that helps detect 'typhoid fever' and similar infections.