Diagnostic Tests for Dengue fever

Diagnostic Test list for Dengue fever: The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Dengue fever includes:

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Dengue fever: A doctor or other health care worker can diagnose dengue fever by doing a blood test. The test can show whether the blood sample contains dengue virus or antibodies to the virus. In epidemics, dengue is often clinically diagnosed by typical signs and symptoms. ¹

Unequivocal diagnosis of dengue infection requires laboratory confirmation, either by isolating the virus or detecting specific antibodies. For virus isolation, a serum specimen should be collected as soon as possible or within 5 days after onset of symptoms. For serologic diagnosis, a convalescent-phase serum specimen obtained at least 6 days after onset of symptoms is required. These specimens may be tested for anti-dengue antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Acute-phase and convalescent-phase samples should be collected and sent to the state health department with a request to forward them to CDC for testing. Acute-phase samples for virus diagnosis may be stored indefinitely on dry ice (-60°C) or, if delivery can be made within 1 week, stored unfrozen in a refrigerator (4°C). Convalescent-phase samples should be sent in a rigid container without ice, if next-day delivery is assured. Otherwise they should be shipped on ice to avoid heat exposure during transit. ²

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Dengue Fever: NIAID
2. excerpt from Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever: Information for Health Care Practitioners: DVBID

Last revision: May 27, 2003

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