title: Use of capillary blood samples as a new approach for diagnosis of Dengue virus infection.
abstract: We evaluated the use of capillary blood samples stored on filter papers for diagnosis of dengue virus infection. Venous and capillary blood samples were collected from 130 patients suspected of having dengue fever. We compared the performances of standard reference methods using capillary blood samples absorbed onto filter papers versus venous blood samples. The resulting sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of tests performed on filter paper compared to those performed on venous blood samples were 81.6% (62/76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 74.9% to 88.3%), 90.7% (49/54; 95% CI, 85.7% to 95.7%), and 92.5% (62/67; 95% CI, 86.2% to 98.8%), respectively. During the acute phase of dengue virus infection (day 1 to day 4), the tests performed on capillary blood samples had a sensitivity of 88.5% (95% CI, 82.0% to 95.0%) and a specificity of 93.8% (95% CI, 88.9% to 98.7%). During the convalescent phase of infection, this method allowed the viral serotype to be determined for 4 of 15 (27%) dengue virus-infected patients for whom virological diagnosis using venous samples was negative. Capillary blood samples could therefore be a good alternative for the diagnosis of dengue virus infection in tropical areas. Indeed, these samples are convenient for storage and transport without the need for a cold chain and simplify the collection of samples from children. Moreover, our results suggest that viral particles persist longer in capillary blood than in peripheral blood. Analysis of the viability of viral particles under these conditions may give new insights into the physiopathology of dengue virus infection and the transmission of dengue virus during outbreaks.
authors.affiliation: Centre National de Référence des Arbovirus, Institut Pasteur de la Guyane, 23 avenue Pasteur, BP 6010, 97306 Cayenne cedex, French Guiana. smatheus@pasteur-cayenne.fr
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matheus
authors.forename: Jean-Baptiste
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Meynard
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lacoste
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morvan
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deparis
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods*; D002196:Capillaries / Q000821:virology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003715:Dengue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D010209:Paper; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping; D014776:Virus Cultivation
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral