DETECTION AND EVALUATION OF NS1 ANTIGEN AND IgM ANTIBODY AGAINST DENGUE VIRUS BY ENZYME LINKED IMMUNO-SORBENT ASSAY IN CLINICALLY SUSPECTED DENGUE CASES AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Rapid and accurate diagnosis of Dengue virus infection is essential for the patient management. The enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) for dengue NS1 antigen and antibody. ELISA is giving more accurate result. Objective: To evaluate and compareNS1antigen capture ELISA and IgM antibody capture ELISA for dengue virus infection. Material and Methods: The laboratory records of clinically suspected dengue patients from January to August 2014 were analyzed retrospectively and results of Both NS1 antigen and IgM antibody of dengue virus tested by ELISA and we compared the accuracy of both the tests. Both the ELISA tests were performed by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Result: The NS1 ELISA showed excellent sensitivity as compared to IgM ELISA. The ELISA captured NS1 antigen and 146 serum samples were positive out of 258(56.59%). The ELISA captured IgM and 223 serum samples were positive out of 1482(15.05%).The present study emphasizes the continuous sero-epidemiological surveillance for the effective dengue virus infection control programme. Conclusion: These tests should be a useful aid in confirming the clinical diagnosis of dengue virus infection and the ELISA has a place in central testing Laboratories