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About dengue ns1 test strip

Types of dengue ns1 test strip

There are a variety of dengue NS1 test strips available in medical supply stores online. These types are usually determined by the kit's sensitivity and specificity. Sometimes, it can also depend on other disease-causing factors, such as which serotype of the virus is locally prevalent. Here is a list of some NS1 dengue tests.

  • Dengue NS1 Antigen Test Kit

    This test is used to detect the presence of the NS1 antigen in the blood plasma during the acute phase of the illness. It is most effective during the first week of infection when the virus is most active. Its sensitivity ranges between 80-90 percent, meaning most infected individuals will be correctly identified by the test.

  • Dengue IgM Test Kit

    The dengue IgM test kit strip is used to detect the presence of immunoglobulin M antibodies in the blood. Dengue fever test IgM antibodies are usually generated by the body within a short time after infection, between 5-7 days. This makes the test useful for determining if someone has recently been infected with the dengue virus. Its specificity is also about 80-90%. Still, this can sometimes cross-react with antibodies from other related viruses, like chikungunya or Zika.

  • Dengue IgG Test Kit

    This test kit is used to identify IgG antibodies in the blood. These antibodies give insights on prior exposure to the dengue virus. The IgG antibodies are usually present long after the NS1 antigen and IgM antibodies have disappeared from the body. This means people will likely test positive for IgG, even if they are no longer sick. One limitation of this test, though, is that it can't indicate if the person was currently infected or had previous exposure. It is also better used alongside other tests to give a more definitive diagnosis.

  • Dengue NS1 IgG/IgM Test Kit

    The combined test kit for NS1 IgG and IgM provides a more comprehensive view of the dengue status in patients. The test simultaneously detects IgG and IgM antibodies and the NS1 antigen. This makes the test very useful in identifying active infections and understanding past exposure all at once. It also enables healthcare professionals to differentiate between recent and older infections, which can be very important for effective patient management.

How to use dengue ns1 test strip

Continued outbreaks of dengue may warrant increased and more widespread testing for the virus. Dengue test kits are a more reliable and convenient way to test for dengue compared to laboratory testing.

However, it is important to consider certain factors before selecting a test kit. Testing should ideally be done by healthcare professionals in a clinical setting, though it can sometimes be done at home. When selecting a medical dengue test kit, one needs to consider factors like sensitivity and specificity, sample type, regulatory approval, and quality. It is advisable to use a test kit that meets local health authority standards.

The dengue NS1 test kit should be stored in cool and dry places away from direct sunlight, ideally between 2-30 degrees Celsius. Exposure to extreme temperatures or humidity may affect the accuracy of the test. Additionally, any test device should only be used before its stated expiration date. Each test should be allowed to come up to room temperature before use if it has been stored in refrigeration. The test should not be used if the control line does not appear on the kit. This means some errors might have occurred during processing.

In the absence of a lab confirming the presence of the dengue virus, attention should be given to choosing test kits from recognized manufacturers and distributors. Fortunately, many of these suppliers can be found online at wholesale prices.

Blood samples should be taken using well-sterilized lancets, which should only puncture the fleshy part of a fingertip. Blood should be collected on clean, disposable test strips and fully covered to avoid mixing with air. Once the sample is collected, the blood should be allowed to clot for at least 30 minutes before placing it in a cool box for transportation or testing. If testing cannot be done immediately, the sample should be mixed with an NS1 sample buffer to keep it stable until time for testing.

Dengue ns1 test strip specifications and features

Technical specifications

While analytical performance may vary between test kits, good quality kits should be sensitive to detect over 100 ng/ml of NS1. This means that the kit should be able to detect even small amounts of the antigen in the blood. It should also be specific enough not to detect any cross-reacting proteins like those from other antigens.

Testing should take 30 to 60 minutes, and the test strip should be able to process at least 96 samples. The test should be done between 2-30 degrees Celsius, so any variation above or below this range could potentially affect the results. The blood sample needs to be from either serum, plasma, or whole blood, though using a sample buffer improves stability. Do not use hemolyzed or lipemic samples, though.

The kit typically contains a test strip, an NS1 sample buffer, and an instruction manual. Some kits may also include a pipette or dropper to assist with transferring samples to the test strip. Most dengue test kits have an internal quality control mechanism consisting of a control line on the test strip. This device needs no special training or complicated Q and A sessions; just familiarize oneself with the instructions and embedded quality control.

The dengue NS1 antigen is the first marker of the virus that becomes detectable in the early acute phase of a dengue infection. The kit should be able to detect the NS1 antigen from all four dengue virus serotypes. The IgG and IgM antibodies should also be detectable from all serotypes of the dengue virus. However, some test kits may contain additional colored reagents to enhance performance.

Key features

  • Non-invasive procedure: The test is less invasive and doesn't take nearly as long as working with venous blood, making it an easy at-home test.
  • Quick results: It can go from set up to results in as little as 20-30 minutes, which is ideal for people needing answers quickly.
  • Easy to understand: It's simple to interpret even for non-medical professionals.
  • Affordable: It's much cheaper than seeing a doctor who would do a blood test or cultures in a proper lab.

How to read and interpret results

  • Positive result

    A positive result will show two lines on the test strip, one in the control area and the other in the test area. This means that both the NS1 antigen and IgM antibodies are present in the blood sample.

  • Negative result

    If the test strip only has a line in the control area with no line in the test area, then the test is negative. This indicates an absence of NS1 antigens and IgM antibodies in the blood.

  • Invalid result

    If there is no line in the control area, then the test is invalid. This means that the test should either be repeated or further meningitis dengue tests kits are required.

Dengue ns1 test strip quality and safety considerations

To conduct effective test processing, several quality and safety considerations should be addressed.

Safety considerations

  • Blood sample handling: Blood samples should be handled with care as they may contain potentially infectious material. Blood borne pathogens like the dengue virus may be present in the blood, especially if the person is infected. Use of disposable gloves and proper decontamination of surfaces should be observed.
  • Biohazard waste: Proper demarcation of biohazard waste should be observed for their disposal. According to testing kits used, waste may include blood samples, tested strips, gloves and shortage test kit reagents and buffers.
  • Reagent safety

    Some dengue test kit reagents and buffers might contain hazardous chemicals. Therefore, one should avoid direct skin contact and inhalation, as they may irritate or cause serious injury. Always read the dengue ns1 test kit manual carefully and observe all safety precautions when handling reagents.

  • ns1 kit strip quality

    Only use high-quality dengue NS1 test kits from reputable manufacturers, as mentioned earlier, and do so at affordable wholesale prices. Always ensure that these kits have received appropriate regulatory approval to meet quality standards. However, avoid parallel imports from unapproved sources, as these might compromise safety.

Check kit strip for damage or contamination

  • Examine the artistically appealing test strips, relevant equipment and reagents to ensure there is no visible evidence of damage, breakages, contamination or tampering. The quality of test strips may be compromised by damage or contamination, resulting in inaccurate test results. Only use test strips showing no evidence of contamination on their surfaces.

Check kit strip for damage or contamination

Ensure all reagents and buffers are at the right temperature before the start of processing. This helps ensure optimal functionality and performance is achieved. Refer to the NS1 dengue test kit instructions for processing minimum and maximum temperature thresholds. Further, samples should also be brought to room temperature before conducting any test.

How to store excess reagents, buffers and strip kits

  • Excess reagents and buffers: During processing, ensure that excess reagents and buffers are either stored or discarded according to the guidelines in the NS1 test kit dengue manual. Some reagents and buffers may contain active components that can react with each other or cause harmful chemicals or compounds when mixed together.
  • Test strips: If the test kit contains sealed packages with multiple test strips, keep such packages airtight and dry at all times. Moisture and humidity have the potential to affect the performance of the test strips. Even a single compromised test strip in a damaged or tampered package can yield inaccurate results.

Maintain testing environment hygiene

  • Post-testing hygiene

    After finishing testing, hygiene should be a top priority. All surfaces where testing was conducted should be well cleaned and disinfected to remove any remnants of samples, reagents or biological matter.

    Blood samples may contain infectious material, and biological matter should be properly decontaminined to reduce the risk of infections. Similarly, all blood test kit dengue items should be placed in designated biohazard containers.

  • Promote staff health

    Staff conducting the tests should also be encouraged to wash or sanitize their hands frequently, more so before and after interacting with patients and samples. Keeping medical personnel free of potentially infectious material reduces the likelihood of infection transmission in health facilities.

Q and A

Q1. Can at-home testing for dengue infection be done?

A1. There are over-the-counter tests for at-home or doctor's office testing, mainly a dengue IgM ns1 test and the dengue NS1 antigen, combined or separately.

The kits identify dengue infection in the early acute phase, during which the virus is most active. These tests typically detect the presence of the NS1 antigen, a protein released by the virus during its early replication in the body.

Q2. When is the dengue NS1 antigen most detectable?

A2. The dengue NS1 antigen is most detectable during the first week of illness. This makes the test particularly useful for diagnosing acute dengue infection shortly after symptoms begin.

Q3. How do healthcare professionals confirm active dengue infection when home testing isn't effective?

A3. Many doctors have an IgG dengue test that indicates past exposure but not the present infection. Yet, there are other ways a doctor can confirm the active infection.

Dengue fever tests for IgM antibodies are usually combined with NS1 kits to give a more comprehensive view. There may be more fluid samples, perhaps from under the skin, which can be cultured for definitive lab confirmation.

Q4. Can the IgG and IgM antibodies be simultaneously detectable in a combined dengue test kit?

A4. Yes, combined test kits simultaneously detect both the IgG and IgM antibodies, along with the NS1 antigen. This allows for a more complete evaluation of dengue infection status.

Q5. What's the main difference in dengue detection between IgM and IgG antibodies?

A5. IgM antibodies indicate recent infection, while IgG antibodies show past exposure. This makes it less effective at diagnosing an active infection that needs immediate attention.

Q6. Can the IgG test alone indicate ongoing dengue infection?

A6. No. The IgG test cannot distinguish between current infection and previous exposure. It only confirms that the person has been exposed to the virus at some point in time.