Diagnostic value of the indirect hemagglutination test for melioidosis in an endemic area.

The indirect hemagglutination antibody (IHA) test for melioidosis was evaluated in 373 healthy blood donors, 65 cord blood samples from healthy neonates, 30 patients with acute melioidosis (13 of whom were septicemic), and 154 individuals hospitalized with various illnesses. Twenty-one percent of healthy blood donors had titers greater than or equal to 1: 40, demonstrating that Songkla is an endemic area. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy at titers greater than or equal to 1:160 were 77%, 92%, and 89%, respectively. This cut-off level is higher than that used in previous reports from non-endemic areas. The test did not recognize patients with the acute fulminating form.