Dengue Profile

Description

What is Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM?

Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG and IgM test detects the non-structural protein component (NS1) of the dengue virus and the antibodies (IgG & IgM) produced by the body in response to the infection. NS1 and IgM is secreted into the blood during dengue infection and are detectable within 3-4 days of illness. Therefore this test helps in early diagnosis and treatment of dengue infection. IgG antibodies appear after 14th day of infection and persist for life.
The initial symptoms which are commonly seen in dengue include sudden high fever, fatigue and flu-like symptoms.
If left untreated the infection may progress to a severe forms such as Dengue hemorrhagic fever or Dengue shock syndrome.

Why is Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM done?

The Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM test is done in case there is high fever within 2 weeks of travel to an area where dengue outbreak is occurring or dengue fever is endemic.

What does Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM Measure?

The dengue antigen NS1, IgG & IgM test measures the dengue virus or antibodies which are produced in response to dengue infection. Dengue fever is a viral infection which is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes which live in tropical and subtropical climates and are responsible for carrying the virus.

According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), in more than 100 countries, dengue infections have been reported from parts of Africa, America, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Caribbean Western Pacific, and Southeast Asia.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), dengue is a fast emerging infectious disease. The number of cases as well as the countries getting affected by dengue is increasing significantly. As 75% of cases do not show any symptoms, the actual number is not known but approximately the annual number of dengue infections are as high as 390 million.

Majority of the affected individuals develop no symptoms or develop only mild illness when they are exposed to one of the four serotypes of the dengue virus. In case, a patient developed symptoms, the prognosis is good for full recovery within a few weeks.

The initial symptoms which are commonly seen include sudden high fever and flu-like symptoms which appear about 4 to 7 days after being infected by a dengue mosquito. Other signs and symptoms include severe headache, especially behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, skin rash, and swollen glands.

In some cases, people recover from the fever on their own but some might progress to severe dengue fever which is known as Dengue hemorrhagic fever. In this case, symptoms such as nose bleeding, blood in vomiting, blood in the stool, difficulty in breathing, cold clammy skin, especially in the extremities are seen. During the next i.e. second phase, the virus attacks the vascular system (blood vessels), which causes capillaries to leak fluid into the space around the lungs, which is known as pleural effusion or into the abdominal cavity which is known as ascites. If not treated, it can worsen and become fatal to health.

Interpreting Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM results

Interpretations

Note: Recommended to do NS1 Antigen by ELISA in the first 5 days of fever. After 7-10 days of continuous fever, the recommended test is Dengue fever antibodies IgG & IgM by ELISA.