| Test: | Dengue Virus Antibodies, IgM Order in NUlirt or complete NPHL Test Order Form |
| Synonym: | Arbovirus, Dengue virus serology |
| Method: | Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) |
| Availability: | Test performed Monday-Friday ; Turn-around time 10 days |
| Specimen: | Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) |
| Collection Device: | SST(Gold) tube, CSF collection tube Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.1 mL) Parallel testing is preferred and convalescent specimens must be received within 30 days from receipt of the acute specimens. "Mark specimen plainly as "acute or convalescent." Specimen Labeling: Test subject to CLIA regulations and requires 2 patient identifiers and specimen source on container. |
| Volume: | Serum:1 mL; Minimum:0.5 mL (additional testing for Zika and chikungunya requires separate containers); CSF 1.0 mL |
| Storage/Transport: | Prior to and during shipment: Refrigerate 2-8°C. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into sterile leak-proof tube, ASAP. Place both CSF and serum at 2-8°C. |
| Unacceptable: | Severely lipemic, icteric or hemolyzed samples; heat-inactivated serum; multiple freeze thaw cycles |
| Specimen Stability: | 2-8°C for 5d, frozen 1yr |
| Reference Interval: | Negative - No significant level of detectable dengue virus IgM antibody. Equivocal - Questionable presence of antibodies. Repeat testing in 10-14 days may be helpful. Positive – IgM antibody to dengue fever virus detected, which may indicate a current or past infection. |
| Reportable Disease: | A positive result is reportable as Arbovirus infection under Title 173, report within 7 days. Refer to Nebraska DHHS Title 173, Communicable Diseases |
| Comments: | Pre-approval needed from state or local health department. Send approval to NPHL@unmc.edu or call (402) 559-9444. May be used to diagnose dengue during acute phase of disease (>5 days after symptom onset). Testing should also be considered for other arthropod-borne viruses with similar symptomology based on clinical presentation and travel history. Documentation must accompany the specimen to include the following information: symptoms and date of onset, pregnancy status, travel and vaccine history. Serological tests can cross react with other Flavivirus, such as West Nile virus. Recent vaccinations for Yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and Tick-borne encephalitis virus can cause cross reactive test results. Natural infections with St. Louis encephalitis virus and West Nile virus can also cause cross reactive results. Test performed at the CDC. |
| Revised: | 3/25/2021 |