A comparative study on Dengue Virus infection: Serological markers Vs Platelet count

A B S T R A C T Dengue is an acute infectious disease of viral etiology. Laboratory diagnosis of dengue virus infection mainly depends on detection NS1 antigen of dengue virus and its specific antibodies. Platelet count is the only accessory test for diagnosis of dengue infection in the peripheral laboratories. Therefore, a trial was made to evaluate the association of platelet counts against NS1 and IgM/IgG in dengue infections. Serum samples from clinically suspected dengue cases were tested for NS1, IgM and IgG by rapid test. Platelet counts were obtained for all positive cases and 100 dengue seronegative cases of fever that served as controls. Of 1414 samples tested 281 were found to be positive for the either one or two parameters of dengue serological markers. Platelet count was compared and In cases of fever, thrombocytopenia is more consistently found in dengue positive rather than dengue negative subjects. It correlates well when NS1 and IgM are detected simultaneously.