Evaluation of dengue blot test

ABSTRACT

Dengue blot test is a dot enzyme immuno-assay which detects the antibodies to dengue virus of all tyes (1 to 4). The result of the test can be obtained after three hours.In the management od dengue haemorrhagic fever confirmation of diagnosis should be made at early stage.This requires a test which is highly specific, highly sensitive and quick.To determine the usefulness of dengue blot test in diagnosing dengue haemorrhagic fever, this study was carried out in 319 patients who were clinically diagnosed as dengue haemorrhagic fever at Yangon Children Hospital.They were tested for both blot test and standard test of haemagglutination inhibition (HI).Blot test was positive in 304 patients out of which only one is negative for HI test (True positive 303 false positive 1).Out of 15 patients who were negative for blot test 10 were positive for HI test (True negative 5, false negative 10).This test was found to be highly sensitive (sensitivity 96