(Dengue NS1 antigen and Dengue Antibody testing by CLIA better results than testing by the Rapid test.)

Abstract

Dengue fever is a viral infectious disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and exhibits seasonal outbreaks, with a significant increase in cases during the rainy season. Early, rapid, and accurate diagnosis is essential for timely treatment and reducing mortality. Several diagnostic methods are currently available, particularly the detection of Dengue NS1 antigen and Dengue antibodies (IgM/IgG). Enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of these methods can improve diagnostic accuracy, allowing for faster and more effective clinical decisions. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of Chemiluminescent Immunoassay (CLIA) and Immunochromatographic Assay (ICA or rapid test) for the detection of Dengue NS1 antigen and Dengue antibodies. Data were collected from suspected dengue patients whose specimens were sent to the laboratory at Lamphun Hospital between October 1 and November 11, 2024. A total of 123 cases were tested for NS1 antigen, and 82 cases for Dengue antibodies. Results showed that for NS1 antigen, CLIA detected 23 positive cases, with ICA yielding concordant results in 60.86%. Among the 100 CLIA-negative cases, ICA showed agreement in 98%. For IgM, CLIA detected 2 positives, with ICA showing concordance in 50%, while among the 80 CLIA-negative cases, ICA agreed in 96%. For IgG, CLIA detected 48 positives, with ICA agreement in 50%; among the 34 CLIA-negative cases, ICA showed agreement in 94.1%. In conclusion, CLIA demonstrated higher sensitivity and specificity compared to ICA. It may therefore serve as a more accurate and reliable alternative for diagnosis of dengue infection.