Aiding in the diagnosis of dengue virus infection
Detection of antibodies to dengue virus is suggestive of recent exposure and/or infection with dengue virus.
This test should be used for diagnostic purposes only.
Test Id | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
DENG | Dengue Virus Ab, IgG, S | No | Yes |
DENM | Dengue Virus Ab, IgM, S | No | Yes |
DNABI | Dengue Ab Interpretation | No | Yes |
For information see:
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
Dengue Fever
Break Bone Fever
Flavivirus
Mosquito-borne infection
Mosquito
For information see:
Serum
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into plastic vial.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send Infectious Disease Serology Test Request (T916) with the specimen.
0.4 mL
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | Reject |
Gross icterus | Reject |
Heat-inactivated specimen | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
Frozen | 14 days |
Aiding in the diagnosis of dengue virus infection
For information see:
Dengue virus (DV) is a globally distributed flavivirus with 4 distinct serotypes (DV-1, -2, -3, -4). It is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of over 100 countries. DV poses a significant worldwide public health threat with approximately 2.5 to 3 billion people residing in DV endemic areas, among whom 100 to 200 million individuals will be infected, and approximately 30,000 patients will succumb to the disease, annually.
Following dengue infection, the incubation period varies from 3 to 7 days, and while some infections remain asymptomatic, the majority of individuals will develop classic dengue fever. Symptomatic patients become acutely febrile and present with severe musculoskeletal pain, headache, retro-orbital pain, and a transient macular rash, most often observed in children. Fever defervescence signals disease resolution in most individuals. However, children and young adults remain at increased risk for progression to dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, particularly during repeat infection with a new DV serotype.
Detection of dengue-specific IgM and IgG-class antibodies remains the most commonly utilized diagnostic method. Seroconversion occurs approximately 3 to 7 days following exposure, and therefore, testing of acute and convalescent sera may be necessary to make the diagnosis. As an adjunct to serologic testing, identification of early DV infection may be made by detection of the DV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen. NS1 antigenemia is detectable within 24 hours of infection and up to 9 days following symptom onset. The DV NS1 antigen can be detected by ordering DNSAG / Dengue Virus NS1 Antigen, Serum.
Dengue virus antibody, IgG: Negative
Dengue virus antibody, IgM: Negative
Reference values apply to all ages.
The presence of IgG-class antibodies to dengue virus (DV) is consistent with exposure to this virus sometime in the past. By 3 weeks following exposure, nearly all immunocompetent individuals should have developed IgG antibodies to DV.
The presence of IgM-class antibodies to DV is consistent with acute-phase infection.
IgM antibodies become detectable 3 to 7 days following infection and may remain detectable for up to 6 months or longer following disease resolution.
The absence of IgM-class antibodies to DV is consistent with lack of infection. However, specimens collected too soon following exposure may be negative for IgM antibodies to DV. If DV remains suspected, a second specimen collected approximately 10 to 12 days following exposure should be tested.
Test results should be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation, including exposure history and clinical presentation.
False-positive results, particularly with the dengue virus IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, may occur in persons infected with other flaviviruses, including Zika virus, West Nile virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus. Obtaining a detailed exposure history and additional laboratory testing may be necessary to determine the infecting virus.
Positive test results may not be valid in persons who have received blood transfusions or other blood products within the last several months.
The significance of a negative result in an immunosuppressed patient is unclear.
A total of 200 prospective serum samples submitted for dengue virus (DV) IgM and IgG testing by the Focus Diagnostics DV IgM and IgG enzyme immunoassays (EIA) were also tested by the InBios IgM and IgG DV assays. The results were compared and the data summarized in Tables 1 and 2.
Table 1. Comparison of the InBios and Focus (Quest) Diagnostics DV IgM EIA
InBios DV IgM EIA | Focus (Quest) Diagnostics DV IgM EIA | |
Positive | Negative | |
Positive | 14 | 0 |
Negative | 1 | 184 |
Equivocal | 1 | 0 |
Sensitivity: 87.5% (14/16); 95% CI: 62.7%-97.7%
Specificity: 100% (184/184); 95% CI: 97. 5%-100%
Agreement: 99% (198/200); 95% CI: 96.1%-99.9%
Table 2. Comparison of the InBios and Focus (Quest) Diagnostics DV IgG EIA
InBios DV IgG EIA | Focus (Quest) Diagnostics DV IgG EIA | |
| Positive | Negative |
Positive | 34 | 0 |
Negative | 0 | 164 |
Equivocal | 2 | 0 |
Sensitivity: 94.4% (34/36); 95% CI: 80.9%-99.4%
Specificity: 100% (164/164); 95% CI: 97.2%-100%
Agreement: 99% (198/200); 95% CI: 96.1%-99.9%
An additional 42 serum samples positive for IgG-class antibodies to West Nile virus (n=24), St. Louis encephalitis virus (n=9), and California (LaCrosse) virus (n=9) were also tested by the InBios DV IgG EIA and the data are summarized below in Table 3.
Table 3. Cross-reactivity of the InBios DV IgG EIA with antibodies to West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and California (LaCrosse) virus
InBios DV IgG EIA | West Nile virus IgG positive | St. Louis encephalitis virus positive | California (LaCrosse) virus positive |
Positive | 18 | 7 | 1 |
Negative | 2 | 0 | 8 |
Equivocal | 4 | 2 | 0 |
Note that the InBios DV IgG EIA shows significant cross-reactivity with antibodies to West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus.
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Clinical Testing Guidance for Dengue. Updated August 26, 2024. Accessed December 11, 2024, Available at www.cdc.gov/dengue/hcp/diagnosis-testing/index.html
2. Dengue: Guidelines for Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Control. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009
3. Khan MB, Yang ZS, Lin CY, et al. Dengue overview: An updated systemic review. J Infect Public Health. 2023;16(10):1625-1642. doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2023.08.001
Dengue virus IgM:
In this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), samples and controls are diluted in sample dilution buffer and incubated in microtiter wells coated with antihuman IgM antibodies. This incubation is followed by incubation with dengue-derived recombinant antigens (DENRA) and normal cell antigen separately. After incubation and washing, the wells are treated with a DEN-specific monoclonal antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). After a second incubation and washing step, the wells are incubated with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) substrate. Acid stop is added, and absorbance at 450 nm is read. The ratio of absorbencies of the DENRA and the control antigen wells determines whether the result is positive or negative.(Package insert: InBiOS DENV Detect IgM CAPTURE ELISA. InBios International, Inc; Revision 10/2019)
Dengue virus IgG:
In this enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, controls and diluted samples are incubated in microtiter wells coated with monoclonal antibody bound to dengue-derived recombinant antigens (DENRA). After incubation and washing, wells are treated with IgG antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase. After a second incubation and washing, wells are incubated with tetramethylbenzidine substrate. Acid stop is added, and absorbance at 450 nm is measured. The ratio of the absorbencies of the DENRA and the control wells determines whether a result is positive or negative.(Package insert: InBiOS DENV Detect IgG ELISA. InBios International, Inc; Revision 05/01/2018)
Tuesday
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
IgM-86790
IgG-86790
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
DENGM | Dengue Virus Ab, IgG and IgM, S | 87546-8 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
DENG | Dengue Virus Ab, IgG, S | 29661-6 |
DENM | Dengue Virus Ab, IgM, S | 29663-2 |
DNABI | Dengue Ab Interpretation | 69048-7 |
Change Type | Effective Date |
---|---|
Test Status - Test Resumed | 2023-11-20 |
Test Status - Test Down | 2023-11-07 |