Dengue NS Antigen: A Tool in Early Detection of Dengue Virus 1 Infection.

Objectives: This aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of NS antigen assay for early diagnosis of dengue 1 virus infection in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in medicine unit of Square hospital from May to August 2013. Total 100 patients with dengue fever were included. Complete blood count, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Dengue NS antigen and IgM and IgG antibodies of dengue virus were done in 1 all cases. Results: Of the 100 sera tested, 75% were positive for dengue virus infection based on dengue NS antigen, IgM 1 antibody and IgG antibody. Dengue NS antigen and IgM, IgG antibody were able to detect dengue virus infection 1 between day to day 8 in 92% of samples, 86.7% of samples and 82.6% of samples respectively. Sixty nine percent 1 (69%) were found positive for dengue NS antigen, 65% were IgM positive and 62% were IgG positive. Based on the 1 dengue NS antigen and IgM antibody combination, 74% were positive for dengue virus infections. Sensitivity of 1 Dengue NS antigen was 92.3% and specificity of 74.28% in comparison to IgM antibody. Based on the antigen and 1 IgG antibody combination, detection rate increased to 75%. Sensitivity of dengue NS antigen was 90.3% and 1 specificity of 65.8% in comparison to IgG antibody. Conclusion: Dengue NS antigen is a useful, sensitive and specific test for early diagnosis of dengue virus infection 1 and it improves diagnostic efficiency in combination with antibody test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]