MALARIA AND TYPHOID FEVER MISDIAGNOSIS IN NIGERIA

In Nigeria, malaria’s overlapping symptoms with typhoid fever lead to frequent misdiagnosis, with up to 45% of malaria cases erroneously treated as typhoid. This systematic review of 25 studies (2010–2025) highlights the Widal test’s poor specificity (50–55%) as a primary driver, exacerbating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and delaying malaria treatment. Co-infection rates (5–30%) vary by region, with rural areas showing higher prevalence. Economic costs and increased mortality underscore the urgency of reform. We propose enhanced diagnostics (RDTs, blood culture), clinician training, and national surveillance to reduce misdiagnosis, aiming to curb AMR and improve health outcomes.