Dengue diagnosis, advances and challenges

Dengue diagnosis was one of the topics discussed at the symposium ‘The Global Threat of Dengue – Desperately Seeking Solutions’ organized during the 10th International Congress of Infectious Diseases held in Singapore in 2002. In this paper, a review is presented focusing on the main advances, problems and challenges of dengue diagnosis. IgM capture ELISA, virus isolation in mosquito cell lines and live mosquitoes, dengue specific monoclonal antibodies and PCR have all represented major advances in dengue diagnosis. However, an appropriate rapid, early and accessible diagnostic method useful both for epidemiological surveillance and clinical diagnosis is still needed. Also, tools that suggest a prognosis allowing for better management are also needed. Finally, laboratory infrastructure, technical expertise and research capacity must be improved in endemic countries in order to positively influence dengue surveillance, clinical case management and the development of new approaches to dengue control.