Detection of NS1 antigen, IgM and IgG antibodies using a commercial Dengue rapid test kit for the diagnosis of dengue infection in patients with acute febrile illness

Abstract

Dengue is an endemic arboviral illness. With the increasing incidence of dengue infection, an early diagnostic confirmation of dengue infection in patients facilitates timely clinical intervention, etiological investigation, and disease control. Objective of this study was to evaluate a commercially available serological test kit - Dengue Day 1 Test. This is for the detection of dengue NS1 antigen, differential detection of IgM and IgG antibodies on a single acute serum sample. Atotal of 100 patients with acute febrile illness were included in this study. Serum samples were analysed for Dengue NS1 Ag, IgM & IgG Antibodies using a commercially available Dengue Day 1 Test, rapid solid phase immuno-chromatographic test.As many as 23 (23%) samples were NS1 positive and 17 (17%) samples were positive for IgM antibodies. Based on the combination of dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody test, total of 34 patients (34%) were positive for dengue virus infection.Results of the study suggested that a combination of dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody tests would increase the rate of detection of dengue illness. This combination would increase the efficacy and aid in early diagnosis of dengue infection.