Latif S, Anwar M S, Jaffery G, Saleh M B.
Role of ns1 antigen in diagnosis of acute dengue infection.
Biomedica Jan ;31(2):115-7.

Background and Objectives: The study was designed to assess the sensitivity of NS1 antigen ELISA test in Dengue fever in patients whose samples were received in the Microbiology Section, Department of Pathology, SIMS / Services Hospital, Lahore from October to December 2011. Methodology: Samples from clinically suspected cases of acute dengue fever irrespective of age and sex with available history of “day of fever” were included in this study. One hundred and thirteen blood samples were received in properly labeled disposable syringes along with request forms detailing patient information including the “day of fever”. Dengue NS1 antigen ELISA tests were performed on the sera on the same day. Results: The NS1 antigen ELISA test positivity was 50 – 81 percent in the first six days of infection with dengue virus. After that, there was a gradual decline in the NS1 antigen positivity. Conclusions: NS1 antigen ELISA test has a high sensitivity in the first week of dengue infection. Therefore, it is suggested that laboratories that do not have sophisticated equipment or lack funds to do PCR can perform NS1 antigen ELISA test.

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