Abstract
Conventional commercially available rapid immuno-chromatographic tests (ICTs) or diagnostic kits were evaluated for their sensitivity, specificity, cost and turnaround time (TAT) results with Dengue IgM/IgG capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) as the standard test, in blood samples from a cross-section of individuals with clinical features suggestive of dengue fever attending health care facilities in the country. Blood samples taken from over 100 consented participants were analyzed using the two rapid ICTs (SD Bioline Dengue Duo NS1/IgM/IgG and Panbio Dengue Duo Cassette) and compared with the Dengue IgM/IgG capture ELISAs. Standardized questionnaire was used to obtain bio and epidemiological data of the participants. The laboratory evaluation also assessed the TAT to complete the tests as well as the cost for each test method. The laboratory analysis on a given number (n=93) revealed that the SD Bioline was more sensitive (39.9%) than the Panbio (22.1%; p=0.005), and specificities for both were 100%. The SD Bioline includes an extra biomarker test with the same TAT and differs in cost by USD$ 1.14 as opposed to the Panbio. The ELISA has a cost of USD$ 8.07 and despite its longer TAT, it has the advantage of running more samples (1 vs 96) at a given time. While SD Bioline may be the better choice with a higher sensitivity, dengue ELISAs should also be favourably considered as an option for diagnostic purposes. In a resource strapped setting like the laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago, the ELISA should be preferred because its sensitivity and specificity were higher than the Panbio and SD Bioline kits. Besides, more samples were tested giving an effective TAT for amounts of samples completed despite a higher cost. Key words: Dengue fever, Panbio, SD Bioline, enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), Trinidad and Tobago.
Highlights
Dengue is a major public health problem in more than 100 tropical countries including Trinidad and Tobago (Anderson et al, 1956; Carrington et al, 2005; Simmons et al, 2012)
In a resource strapped setting like the laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago, the enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) should be preferred because its sensitivity and specificity were higher than the Panbio and SD Bioline kits
The laboratory tests for the determination of the sensitivity, specificity, cost effectiveness and rapidity of dengue infection in a resource strapped setting such as ours, all performed well in relative to each test method employed
Summary
Dengue is a major public health problem in more than 100 tropical countries including Trinidad and Tobago (Anderson et al, 1956; Carrington et al, 2005; Simmons et al, 2012). It is the most common arthropod transmitted disease of mankind with over 2.5 billion people worldwide at risk of being infected.
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