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Accurate diagnosis is essential in the fight against dengue. It is needed for patient management and directing NEA’s vector control response to minimise further transmission and spread of the disease.
NEA’s Environmental Health Institute (EHI), launched in 2002, uses scientific research and the latest biomedical technologies to better understand vectors such as the Aedes mosquito and dengue disease that this species transmit.
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In 2005, EHI completed the development of a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) based diagnostic assay that can accurately detect dengue virus in a blood sample, as early as the first day of disease. The test is also able to determine the serotype of the infecting virus. Diagnosis takes less than an hour, much faster than the traditional virus isolation method, which could take weeks.
As PCR becomes less able to detect virus from the second week of infection, NEA has developed a sensitive IgA dot blot assay to detect anti-dengue IgA antibody in a shorter time. It can make diagnosis from six days onwards which is critical if the patient seeks treatment late. The test may be performed on blood samples or saliva. A patent has been filed and is undergoing commercialisation.
IgG dot-blot assay can confirm infection two weeks into the disease. It is also useful in establishing the Dengue sero-prevalence of a population.
EHI’s trials have found the use of Bacillus thuringiensis strain israelensis (Bti) effective in controlling mosquito vectors at construction sites. Bti, a biological vector control agent, eliminates mosquito larvae through degradation of their digestive tract. Bti is an environmentally friendly treatment as it is non-toxic to human and other animals. Trials show it can be used effectively, particularly in Singapore’s many construction sites. |
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