The present study aims to evaluate if there are false negative results using the NS1 Ag rapid assay (Panbio庐 Dengue Early ELISA) in two different epidemiological situations (epidemic and non-epidemic).
220 serum samples from patients with clinical symptoms of classical dengue fever were tested by NS1 antigen capture ELISA and Multiplex-Nested-PCR.
In samples collected in a non-epidemic period we found a 100% agreement of ELISA and RT-PCR in dengue negative samples and 85% agreement of ELISA and RT-PCR in dengue positive samples. But when we tested samples during an epidemic period (large DENV-4 outbreak) we found 15% false negative results (
Due to false negative results for DENV-4, the sole use of the Panbio庐 Dengue Early ELISA assay as a screening method for monitoring circulating dengue serotypes must be reevaluated.