Dengue Fever IgM Antibody Test - EIA (Dengue Test)

Dengue fever IgM antibody test

This is a simple test which is used to detect IgM antibodies against dengue infection in your blood. Dengue is a viral infection which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected aedes aegypti mosquito. This mosquito usually bites during the daytime. The virus causing dengue is Dengue virus. Dengue infection is also called break bone fever. This infection is common in certain areas and may cause severe morbidity and even mortality.

Dengue infection may present with various symptoms, ranging from mild illness to severe disease. It is caused by Dengue virus 1, 2, 3 or 4. Mild dengue infection may present after 4 to 10 Days of mosquito bite with the following symptoms:

• High grade fever (104o F)
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Muscle and bone pain
• Rashes
• Pain behind the eyes

The recovery in mild infection takes about 7 to 10 Days. However, sometimes the disease can worsen and may even cause death. The severe form of dengue is called dengue haemorrhagic fever or dengue shock syndrome, which presents as:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Excessive vomiting
• Nose and gum bleeding
• Blood in stools or vomit
• Bleeding under skin causing bruises
• Excessive tiredness
• Restlessness
• Difficulty in breathing

Dengue infection can be avoided by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites and controlling mosquito population. The following steps may help to decrease mosquito bites:

• Wearing protective clothing such as long- sleeved shirt, pants or trousers, socks and shoes, which minimises skin exposure to mosquitoes.
• Using mosquito repellent, coils, vaporisers and window screens
• Removing all containers with stagnant water where mosquitoes can breed
• Stay in well-screened place to prevent entry of mosquitoes.
• Applying appropriate insecticides to water storage outdoor containers.

Why is dengue fever IgM antibody test prescribed?

Your health care provider may advise this test to detect presence of IgM antibodies formed by your immune system when you are exposed to dengue virus. This test is done usually along with IgG antibody test, which together are known as serological tests for dengue infection. These tests are useful when performed at least 4 Days after the onset of symptoms. This test helps to diagnose recent or current infection. IgM antibodies are produced initially after getting dengue infection. Level of these antibodies rise for few weeks and then slowly decrease. Their level then becomes undetectable after few months. If IgM antibody test is negative, it means there is no acute dengue infection or antibody levels are too low to be detected (during early phase of infection). In the latter case further repeat testing may be done to look for rising titres.

Procedure and prerequisites

The sample for this dengue test is blood, which is collected by inserting a small needle into vein of your forearm. A small amount of blood is then collected in a vacutainer. You may feel some pain due to needle prick. No preparation is needed for this test.

Reference range

The result may be:

• Negative-undetectable levels or no IgM antibodies
• Positive-detectable levels of IgM antibodies which depicts current or recent infection
• Equivocal- presence of IgM antibodies are questionable. Repeat testing may be required