ELISA, PCR, & NS1 ANTIGEN FOR DENGUE VIRUS DETECTION AT SAIDU TEACHING HOSPITAL, SWAT

This paper aims to compare the results of NS1 antigen, ELISA, and PCR in the diagnosis of dengue virus in Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, SGOTH district Swat. Out of all the patients, 1,100 patients with clinical manifestations of dengue were included in the study. Outcomes shed light on the necessity of using a diagnostic suite. Of the total patients, 45 patients were positive by NS1 antigen test, 111 were positive by ELISA for dengue IgM antibodies, and 77 were positive for IgG, indicating a history of dengue. Clinical suspicion without evidence from laboratory testing was found in 643 patients, and laboratory investigations provided indeterminate results in 224 patients. In confirmed cases with COVID-19, there was a reduction in platelets with a count of 50 000 – 150 000 /micro, which was noted. Early-phase NS1 antigen was most helpful in the acute phase, while IgM and IgG were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in the convalescent phase. PCR revealed high specificity and sensitivity within the earlier stages of the disease. These findings call for strengthening the diagnostic tools, incorporating efficient diagnostic approaches, and strengthening public health infrastructure to contain dengue in low-income settings such as Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital and SGOTH district Swat.