CDC Slide 19 of 21 - VI. Diagnosis - Dengue: Clinical & Public Health Aspects

Type of Specimen

Time of Collection

Type of Analysis

Acute-phase blood
(0-5 days after onset)

Convalescent-phase blood
(>6 days after onset)

When patient presents;
collect second sample
during convalescence

Between days 6 and 21
after onset

Virus isolation
and/or serology

Serology

The tests for diagnosis of dengue infection are time dependent.

If the patient presents within the first 5 days after onset of symptoms, which is the acute phase of the illness, a blood sample should be drawn immediately, to be tested for virus isolation. Virus can be isolated most easily in samples drawn in the first days after onset of symptoms, although it has been isolated as long as 12 days after onset.
A convalescent-phase sample should also be drawn to test for IgM antibody. This sample should be drawn between 6 and 21 days after symptom onset.
If the patient presents six or more days after symptom onset, the blood sample should be drawn as soon as possible. This sample should then be tested for serum IgM antibody.