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Dengue NS-1 Antigen (CLIA)
Bacterial/ Viral
Report in 4Hrs
At Home
No Fasting Required
Details
Test for detecting dengue virus (NS1 antigen or IgM antibodies) in suspected dengue fever cases.
₹399₹660
40% OFF
Dengue NS-1 Antigen (CLIA) - Comprehensive Guide
- Why is it done?
- Test Purpose: Detects the Dengue virus non-structural protein-1 (NS-1) antigen in blood serum or plasma to diagnose acute dengue infection
- Primary Indications: Early diagnosis of dengue fever in patients presenting with fever, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, and rash; particularly valuable in endemic regions or during dengue outbreaks
- Clinical Circumstances: Best performed during the acute phase of illness (within 3-5 days of symptom onset); helps distinguish dengue from other febrile illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, or other viral infections
- Diagnostic Advantage: More rapid than antibody detection (IgM and IgG) and provides early confirmation of infection before immune response develops
- Normal Range
- Normal Result (Negative): Non-reactive or negative; absence of dengue NS-1 antigen detected; indicates no acute dengue infection at time of testing
- Abnormal Result (Positive): Reactive or positive; dengue NS-1 antigen is detected; indicates active dengue infection
- Units of Measurement: Qualitative result (positive/negative); some laboratories may report semi-quantitative values as arbitrary units (AU/mL) or OD (Optical Density) ratios
- Interpretation Guide: Negative/Non-reactive = No dengue NS-1 antigen detected; Positive/Reactive = Dengue NS-1 antigen present, indicating acute dengue infection; Borderline or Equivocal results may require repeat testing or additional testing with RT-PCR or serology
- Interpretation
- Positive Result Significance: Confirms acute dengue infection, typically indicating infection occurred within 3-5 days of sample collection; presence of NS-1 antigen correlates with high viremia and active viral replication
- Negative Result Significance: Suggests absence of acute dengue infection or testing performed outside optimal window (before day 1-3 or after day 5 of illness); does not rule out dengue if tested too early or late in disease course
- Clinical Diagnostic Window: NS-1 antigen typically appears on day 1-3 of symptom onset and remains detectable for 5-7 days; highest sensitivity during days 2-4 of illness
- Factors Affecting Results: Timing of specimen collection (critical); dengue serotype (all four types detected); prior dengue infection (may affect results); hemolysis or specimen quality issues; immune status of patient
- Multiple Dengue Serotypes: Test detects NS-1 antigen from all four dengue serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, DENV-4); does not differentiate between serotypes
- Test Sensitivity & Specificity: Sensitivity typically 90-98% (highest in primary infections); specificity >95%; excellent performance during acute phase; may miss cases tested outside diagnostic window
- Associated Organs
- Primary Systems Affected: Hematologic/Immune system (blood cell counts and immune response); Hepatic system (liver inflammation); Vascular system (endothelial dysfunction and bleeding); Central nervous system (in severe cases)
- Associated Medical Conditions: Dengue fever (DF); Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF); Dengue shock syndrome (DSS); Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count); Hepatitis and elevated liver enzymes; Hemorrhagic manifestations
- Diseases Diagnosed: Acute dengue infection caused by dengue virus serotypes 1-4; helps differentiate dengue from other arboviral infections and febrile illnesses
- Complications Requiring Monitoring: Severe dengue complications include internal hemorrhage, organ failure, circulatory collapse; increased risk in secondary infections; severe manifestations may require critical care
- Associated Laboratory Findings: Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, elevated hematocrit (hemoconcentration), abnormal liver function tests (elevated AST/ALT), coagulopathy in severe cases
- Follow-up Tests
- Confirmatory Testing: RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) for dengue viral RNA; provides highest sensitivity and can differentiate dengue serotypes; recommended for negative NS-1 results when clinical suspicion remains high
- Serologic Testing: Anti-dengue IgM antibodies (appear day 3-5 of illness, peak at 1-2 weeks); Anti-dengue IgG antibodies (indicate past infection or immunity); Helpful for confirmation after NS-1 antigen window closes
- Hematologic Assessment: Complete blood count (CBC) to assess platelet count, white blood cells, and hemoglobin; repeated serially to monitor for dengue hemorrhagic fever progression; platelet drop >50% within 24 hours is concerning
- Liver Function Tests: AST, ALT, bilirubin, albumin; assess degree of hepatic involvement; typically elevated in dengue; monitored for severe dengue complications
- Coagulation Studies: PT/INR, aPTT, fibrinogen; essential for severe dengue cases with hemorrhagic manifestations; screens for coagulopathy
- Renal and Electrolyte Panel: Creatinine, BUN, electrolytes; monitor for acute kidney injury in severe dengue cases; assess fluid balance
- Monitoring Frequency: Daily CBC and platelet monitoring during acute phase (3-5 days); more frequent monitoring if hemorrhagic features emerge; every 12-24 hours for severe dengue or DSS
- Imaging Studies: Ultrasound imaging for severe cases to detect pleural effusions, ascites, or hepatomegaly; helps assess dengue hemorrhagic fever severity
- Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: No - Fasting is NOT required for dengue NS-1 antigen testing
- Specimen Collection Instructions: Blood sample (serum or plasma) can be collected any time of day, regardless of food intake or meal timing; no specific preparation needed
- Timing of Collection: Most important factor is collecting specimen during optimal diagnostic window (day 1-5 of symptom onset); timing of symptom onset is critical for test interpretation, not timing within the day
- Medications - No Restrictions: Continue all regular medications as prescribed; no medications need to be avoided prior to testing; however, document any antipyretics or pain medications taken
- Patient Preparation: Inform patient of symptom onset date/time (essential for result interpretation); report any recent travel to dengue-endemic areas; provide information about dengue infection status if tested for dengue before
- Specimen Handling: Specimen should be properly labeled with patient identification and time of collection; serum or EDTA plasma acceptable; tube must be inverted gently 8-10 times after collection; avoid hemolysis
- Transport and Storage: Keep specimen at room temperature or 2-8°C per laboratory protocol; process within 24 hours if possible; delays in processing may affect test accuracy; maintain proper cold chain during transport
How our test process works!

