Dengue Polyvalent

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection caused by one of four closely related virus serotypes of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae. These serotypes are sufficiently different that there is no cross-protection, and epidemics caused by multiple serotypes (hyperendemicity) can occur. The development of effective vaccines and diagnostic tools is crucial in combating dengue fever, which affects millions of people worldwide.

The Polyvalent Dengue Antigen is a recombinant protein designed to detect all four dengue virus serotypes. It consists of 25% recombinant antigen from each of the dengue subtypes in its composition . This antigen is used in various diagnostic assays, such as ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), to detect dengue-specific antibodies in patient samples.

Recombinant protein technology involves the insertion of a gene encoding the desired protein into an expression system, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). The host cells then produce the protein, which can be purified and used for various applications. In the case of the Polyvalent Dengue Antigen, the recombinant protein is fused to a 6x His-Tag, which facilitates its purification and detection .

The Polyvalent Dengue Antigen is primarily used in diagnostic assays to detect dengue-specific antibodies (IgG and IgM) in patient samples. The sensitivity and specificity of these assays can reach approximately 93% and 96%, respectively . This high level of accuracy is essential for the early detection and management of dengue fever.

The recombinant Polyvalent Dengue Antigen should be stored at -20°C for long-term storage and at 4°C for short-term use. It is important to aliquot the protein to avoid repeated freezing and thawing, which can degrade the protein and reduce its effectiveness .