Attempted type specific diagnosis of dengue virus infection by the indirect fluorescent antibody method directed at differentiating IgM and IgG responses.

Abstract

The need for paired acute and convalescent phase sera for diagnostic purposes in virology has long been recognized. Along these lines, some important problems are: (a) getting an early enough acute phase serum, (b) obtaining only a convalescent phase serum perhaps none at all, (c) choice of most suitable test method (s) to use with likely small quantities of specimen(s) obtained and (d) perhaps most important of all, furnishing a diagnostically useful result to the attending physician at the time he needs it. This latter requirement is incompatable with awaiting a convalescent phase serum. Furthermore, unless the physician's early needs are met, his subsequent lack of cooperation further complicates obtaining the needed sera from the next patient.The solution in so far as serology is concerned apparently lies in the detection of early specific antibody in the IgM globulin fraction and distinguishing this from that of any preexisting antibody in the IgG globulin which may also react with the antigen used.S...