Dengue Diagnosis in Travellers
Author Information
Author(s): Wichmann Ole, Stark Klaus, Shu Pei-Yun, Niedrig Matthias, Frank Christina, Huang Jyh-Hsiung, Jelinek Tomas
Primary Institution: Berlin Institute of Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
What is the diagnostic value of positive dengue antibody titres in single serum samples from febrile travellers returning from dengue endemic areas?
Conclusion
A single positive ELISA result for dengue carries a high rate of false-positivity and should be confirmed with a second, more specific diagnostic technique.
Supporting Evidence
- The positive predictive value for the combination of positive PanBio-ELISA plus thrombocytopenia was 90.5%.
- Only 64 out of 127 probable cases were confirmed by additional analysis.
- Rash was significantly associated with confirmed dengue fever.
Takeaway
When people come back from places where dengue is common, just one blood test might not be enough to tell if they have dengue, so doctors need to do more tests to be sure.
Methodology
The study analyzed blood samples from febrile travellers using ELISA tests and confirmed results with additional serological tests and RT-PCR.
Potential Biases
Potential cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses and previous vaccinations may affect test results.
Limitations
The study relied on single serum samples, which can lead to false-positive results.
Participant Demographics
The study included 2,259 patients with a median age of 33 years, comprising 1,163 males and 1,096 females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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