Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40019871›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2025

High correlation between detection of dengue IgG from dried blood spots and serum using an indirect IgG ELISA assay: A validation study in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Monica Zahreddine, Beatriz Parra, Laura Pierce, Danielle Ferreira de Oliveira, Mabel Carabali, Katia Charland, Kellyanne Abreu, Valéry Ridde, Danielle Malta Lima, Kate Zinszer

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Monica ZahreddineCentre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Beatriz ParraMicrobiology Department, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Laura PierceCentre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.ORCID 0009-0004-2012-3515
Danielle Ferreira de OliveiraUniversidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Mabel CarabaliCentre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Katia CharlandCentre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Kellyanne AbreuUniversidade Estadual do Ceará, Ceará, Brazil.
Valéry RiddeUniversité Paris Cité, IRD, Inserm, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Ceped, Paris, France.
Danielle Malta LimaUniversidade de Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Kate ZinszerCentre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-1388-1145

Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDengue virus (DENV) seroprevalence studies often rely on Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) testing of serum samples, but ELISA testing of dried blood spot (DBS) samples offer several advantages for field-based research in resource-limited settings. However, DBS' limited sample volume can be challenging for test sensitivity, requiring validation studies with standard methods (e.g., analysis of serum through ELISAs or Plaque Reduction Neutralization Tests (PRNTs)). In preparation for a large cluster randomized controlled trial, we conducted a pilot study in 2019 to validate the use of DBS compared to serum samples for DENV IgG testing. We aimed to identify the optimal DBS dilution for IgG detection and to estimate the correlation, magnitude of agreement, and sensitivity and specificity of IgG detection in DBS versus serum samples. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL

findingsWe conducted this pilot validation study among 119 healthy participants in Fortaleza, Brazil to evaluate and optimize the detection of DENV IgG from DBS compared to serum. Each participant provided paired DBS and venous blood samples, which were evaluated for DENV IgG using the Panbio Dengue IgG indirect ELISA. DBS elution diluted 1:4 was optimal compared with serum results, with high correlation (r= 0.98) and near-perfect agreement (kappa = 0.95). At this dilution, DBS had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 92.3%, a 97.9% positive predictive value, and a 100% negative predictive value compared with serum. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: These results validate using DBS instead of serum for detection of prior dengue infection among similar populations in endemic regions, without sacrificing test sensitivity and specificity. The validity of using DBS for ELISA to detect prior dengue infection could have important implications for field-based research. A limitation to this study was that the potential for misclassification due to cross-reactivity (e.g., with Zika virus, Yellow Fever vaccine) was not assessed.

Indexed as

Antibodies, ViralDengueDengue VirusDried Blood Spot TestingImmunoglobulin GAdolescentAdultBrazilEnzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPilot ProjectsSensitivity and SpecificitySeroepidemiologic StudiesAntibodies, ViralImmunoglobulin G

Identifiers

PMID40019871
PMCPMC11893133

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.