DENGUE IgG & IgM - ELISA/ELFA/CLIA - HR in Delhi

Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test: Price, Purpose, Range & Reports

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness caused by one of four Dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4), poses a significant global health threat, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. 
The Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test is a crucial diagnostic tool for confirming and staging Dengue infection, particularly after the initial few days of illness. It detects the body's serological response, the production of specific antibodies, making it highly valuable when the viral load has dropped. Also known as Dengue Serology, Dengue Antibody Test, or part of a comprehensive Dengue Profile, this assay provides key insights into whether an infection is a first-time (primary) exposure or a subsequent (secondary) one, which has a higher risk of severity.

What is the Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test?

The Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test utilises the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique to detect and quantify two specific antibody classes, Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG), against the Dengue virus in a patient's blood serum or plasma.
The ELISA is an immunoenzymatic technique that relies on the specific binding of Dengue antibodies in a patient's sample to Dengue virus antigens immobilised on a solid surface, such as the wells of a microtiter plate.

The Principle and Mechanism

1.    Antigen Coating: The wells of the microplate are pre-coated with purified Dengue virus antigens.
2.    Sample Addition: A diluted sample of the patient's serum is added to the wells. If anti-Dengue IgM or IgG antibodies are present, they will bind specifically to the coated antigens.
3.    Conjugate Binding: After a wash step to remove unbound material, an enzyme-labelled anti-human antibody (conjugate) specific for either IgM or IgG is added. This conjugate binds to the patient's captured antibodies.
4.    Colour Development: A colour-changing substrate is then introduced. The enzyme attached to the conjugate catalyses a reaction, causing a colour change in the solution.
5.    Detection: The intensity of the final colour is measured by a spectrophotometer (ELISA reader). The optical density (OD) reading is directly proportional to the concentration of the specific IgM or IgG antibody in the patient's sample. This allows for the qualitative (Positive/Negative) or semi-quantitative (index value) determination of the immune response.
This high-sensitivity method provides a clear, objective measure of the body's immune status, essential for staging the disease.

Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test Price

The cost of the Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test varies depending on the testing laboratory, geographical location, and whether the test is procured as a standalone item or as part of a bundled diagnostic package.

•    Key Cost Variables:

o    Scope of Testing
o    Provider Accreditation such as NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories)
o    Service Model
Patients should consult their chosen diagnostic provider's current price list for the most accurate figure applicable to their region and chosen service.

What is the Purpose of the Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test?

The Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test is indispensable in the clinical setting, serving several critical objectives for diagnosis, disease staging, and public health surveillance:
1.    Diagnosis Confirmation in the Late Acute Phase: The test is the diagnostic standard when the initial viremic phase is over (typically after day 5 of fever). While the NS1 antigen is ideal for the first 1-5 days, viral load rapidly drops after this point, rendering NS1 and PCR tests less useful. The subsequent surge in IgM antibodies makes serology the primary tool for confirming a current or very recent infection.
2.    Differentiation of Primary vs. Secondary Infection (Prognostic Value): This is the most crucial clinical utility. Infection in a person previously exposed to Dengue (secondary infection, often by a different serotype) is a significant risk factor for severe disease (DHF/DSS) due to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) or other complex immunological mechanisms.
o    Primary Infection: Marked by a slow, delayed IgG rise and a robust, rapid IgM response.
o    Secondary Infection: Characterised by a rapid and massive rise in IgG antibodies (anamnestic response), with the IgG response dominating and often suppressing the IgM response. This rapid differentiation guides immediate, critical triage.
3.    Guiding Clinical Management: For patients identified with a secondary infection, clinicians are pre-alerted to the potential for complications. These patients require a significantly higher degree of intensive monitoring, including frequent checks of hematocrit and platelet counts, and often necessitate hospitalisation and proactive intravenous fluid management to preempt shock.
4.    Identification of Past Exposure: The presence of IgG antibodies alone indicates a prior Dengue infection.
5.    Exclusion of Dengue Diagnosis: When both IgM and IgG results are negative more than seven days after symptom onset, it strongly suggests that the patient's febrile illness is not caused by the Dengue virus, prompting the healthcare team to pursue other differential diagnoses (e.g., Zika, Chikungunya, or bacterial infections).

Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test Range and Interpretation

The interpretation of the Dengue ELISA results depends on the specific combination of IgM, IgG, and often NS1 antigen status, which correlates with the stage and type of infection. Results are typically reported qualitatively (Positive, Negative, or Equivocal), or quantitatively as an index value (ratio to a cut-off).
Antibody Dynamics and Timeframe
 

Definitive Interpretation for Infection Staging

Equivocal/Indeterminate Results: Results falling within a small range near the cut-off require cautious clinical correlation and may necessitate a repeat test with a fresh sample in 3-5 days for definitive seroconversion confirmation.

How to Prepare and What to Expect?

The procedure for the Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA test is straightforward, ensuring minimal disruption for the patient during their illness.

A. Preparation Guidelines

•    Fasting Requirement: No fasting is required for the Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA test. The concentration of antibodies is not affected by food or drink intake.
•    Optimal Timing: While the test can be performed anytime, it is most reliable when conducted after the first four to five days of fever to ensure adequate antibody development for a positive result.
•    Medication Review: While there are no significant known interactions with the antibody assay itself, patients must inform their healthcare provider of all current medications. 

B. The Testing Procedure

The test requires a simple blood sample collection, which is quick and minimally invasive.
1.    A trained phlebotomist will clean a small area, usually on the inner elbow.
2.    A sterile needle is gently inserted into a vein to draw a small volume of blood into a collection tube.
3.    The entire process is brief, typically lasting less than five minutes. The sample is then transported to the accredited laboratory for the ELISA analysis.

How to Book and Access Your Reports Online?

Booking your Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test (or the complete Dengue Profile) through a reputable online platform ensures both quality testing and convenient, secure access to your results.

A. Booking Your Test with Home Collection

1.    Search and Select: Go to a diagnostic website or app (like Apollo 24|7). Look for the “Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test” or “Dengue Profile - ELISA” and enter your city.
2.    Schedule Appointment: Pick a date and time for a home sample collection that works for you.
3.    Confirm Booking: Pay online securely. You’ll get a confirmation with instructions via SMS or email, along with the phlebotomist’s arrival time.

B. How Do I Access My Test Results Online?

1.    Log In: Use your registered phone number or email to log in to your account on the diagnostic platform.
2.    Navigate to Records: Locate the 'Health Records' or 'My Reports' section on your dashboard.
3.    View Report: Click on your completed test name to instantly view the detailed laboratory report. Results for Dengue antibody tests are typically processed and available online within 10 to 36 hours of sample collection.
4.    Share: You have the ability to view the entire report online or download it securely in PDF format, enabling easy sharing with your treating physician for prompt clinical review and treatment planning.

Conclusion

The Dengue IgG & IgM ELISA Test helps detect and stage Dengue infection. It can tell if it’s a first-time infection (primary) or a repeat infection (secondary). This is important because secondary infections are higher risk, and early detection allows for timely hospital care and fluid management, which can save lives. Using a trusted diagnostic service makes testing convenient, secure, and fast, giving patients and doctors the information they need to manage Dengue effectively.