Evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of NS1 antigen and oxidative stress for Dengue virus infection in Bangladeshi population

The dramatic rise of global incidence of dengue infection has generated an urgent yet an unmet need for an accurate and validated diagnostic test for DENV infection. A total of 81 serum samples were enlisted to dengue NS1 ICT test and dengue NS1 ELISA test and oxidative stress markers including NO, MDA and SOD activity were measured. Out of 81 samples, 41 were found positive by ELISA (DENV group; n=41) whereas 28 were found positive by ICT test. Out of 81 samples; 40 were found negative (control group; n=40) by ELISA whereas 53 were found negative by ICT test. There were 28 samples which were found positive by both ICT and ELISA test. There were 40 samples which were found negative by both ICT and ELISA. The sensitivity and specificity of ICT test were 68.29% and 100% when compared with ELISA. The positive cases of dengue were confirmed by platelet count having significantly higher level of platelet counts (P<0.0001) in dengue patients compared to that of control. Dengue patients had significantly higher levels of NO (P=0.0007), MDA (P<0.0001) and SOD activity (P<0.0001) compared to those of control. Among dengue patients, a positive correlation was found between MDA level and hematocrit percentage (R2 = 0.8107; P<0.001) and between MDA level and NO level (R2 = 0.4954; P<0.001). The study has unveiled that though the rapid ICT test is cost-effective and with satisfactory specificity, the sensitivity is not up to the mark and possibility of misdiagnosis by this rapid test kit is significant.