NS1-based ELISA test efficiently detects dengue infections without cross-reactivity with Zika virus

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.09.009
• Publication Date: 2021-09-21T00:39:28Z
• Authors: Samuel Santos Per...; Robert Andreata-S...; Lennon Ramos Pereira; Camila Pereira So...; Alvina Clara Félix; Patrícia de Mello...; Edison Luís Durigon; Camila Malta Romano; Luís Carlos de So...
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Zika Virus Infection; NS1; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Zika Virus; Dengue Virus; Viral Nonstructural Proteins; Antibodies, Viral; Sensitivity and Specificity; Dengue virus; 3. Good health; Dengue; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Animals; ELISA; Serological diagnosis

The aim of this study was to achieve greater specificity of dengue virus (DENV) serological tests based on a recombinant antigen derived from non-structural protein 1 (ΔNS1) with regard to cross-reactive Zika virus (ZIKV) anti-NS1 antibody responses. This is of relevance in endemic regions for the serological discrimination of both DENV and ZIKV, such as Brazil and other tropical countries.The ΔNS1 proteins were obtained as recombinant antigens and were evaluated as solid-phase-bound antigens in the ELISA test to detect anti-NS1 IgG antibodies. The performance of the ∆NS1-based DENV IgG ELISA was assessed with both mouse and human serum samples previously exposed to DENV or ZIKV.The ∆NS1-based DENV IgG ELISA detected anti-DENV NS1 IgG without cross-reactivity with ZIKV-positive serum samples. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay determined using samples previously characterized by real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or plaque reduction neutralization assay (PRNT) were 82% and 93%, respectively.The ∆NS1-based DENV IgG ELISA conferred enhanced diagnostic specificity for anti-DENV serological tests and may be particularly useful for serological analyses in endemic regions for both DENV and ZIKV transmission.