Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM
Understanding Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM
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.
What is Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM used for?
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?
Contains 3 testsThe 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.
Dengue NS1 Antigen
Dengue virus is a flavivirus with four distinct serotypes (Dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4). It is primarily transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, found in the tropical and subtropical regions.
Dengue nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is an antigen produced by the replicating dengue virus. These antigens can be detected as early as the first day of symptoms and as late as day 18 of symptoms.
Clinically, in the beginning, there is sudden onset of fever combined with headache, muscle and joint pains (severe pain that gives it the nickname break-bone fever or bone crusher disease), distinctive pain from behind the eyes (retro-orbital pain) and rash (a generalized maculopapular rash with islands of sparing). After that, a hemorrhagic rash of characteristically bright red pinpoint spots (known as petechiae) can occur during the illness which is associated with thrombocytopenia. It usually appears first on the lower limbs and the chest, however, in some patients, it spreads to most of the body. Along with that, there can also be gastritis (inflammation in the stomach lining) with associated stomach pain, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting coffee-grounds-like congealed blood or diarrhea.
Dengue Hemorrhagic fever (DHF):
In DHF, the fever can go to a higher grade, it might also include variable bleeding manifestations like bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, ear and oozing blood from skin pores. Other bleeding manifestations include thrombocytopenia, and hemoconcentration (thickening of the blood).
Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children. There is no specific treatment for dengue, but appropriate medical care can save the lives of patients with the more serious dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Know more about Dengue NS1 Antigen
Dengue IgG & IgM
This further contains
- Dengue Antibody IgM
- Dengue Antibody IgG
Interpreting Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM results
Interpretations
Result in index |
Remarks |
Negative (<0.9) |
No detectable dengue NS1 antigen. The result does not rule out dengue infection. An additional sample should be tested for IgG & IgM serology in 7-14 days.
|
Equivocal (0.9-1.1) |
Repeat sample after 1 week
|
Positive (>1.1) |
Presence of detectable dengue NS1 antigen. Dengue IgG & IgM serology assays should be performed on follow up samples after 5-7 days of onset of fever, to confirm dengue infection. |
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.
ANTIBODY DETECTED |
REMARKS |
IgM |
Primary Dengue |
IgM & IgG |
Late Primary / Early Secondary Dengue |
IgG |
Secondary / Past Dengue |
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM
Frequently Asked Questions about Dengue Antigen NS1, IgG & IgM
Q. Is there any vaccine available for Dengue?
Q. What are the symptoms of Dengue fever?
Q. What is the advantage of detecting dengue NS1 antigen instead of dengue antibodies?
Q. Is there any specific treatment available for Dengue?
Q. What are the clinical types of Dengue fever?
Q. How is the blood sample taken?
Q. Is there any risk associated with the withdrawal of blood sample procedure?
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