The educational initiative addresses clinical condition identification and the importance of quality control to ensure accurate results.
According to data from the Pan American Health Organization – PAHO, Brazil accounts for 83% of all Dengue cases among countries in South, Central, and North America. In total, these areas recorded about 4.6 million cases of the disease in 2024.
Although Dengue is on the rise throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, the countries most affected after Brazil are Paraguay and Argentina.
Talking About Quality
In a scenario where affected regions demand effective strategies for early and accurate disease diagnosis, Controllab’s educational manager, José Poloni, conversed with Dr. Gustavo Barra, a PhD in molecular pharmacology, for Talking About Quality.
The expert, who validated molecular tests for the epidemics of H1N1, ChikV, ZikV, and SARS-CoV-2, addressed the relevance of early and differential diagnoses; explained the NS1, RNA, and IgM markers present in different phases of the infection, and highlighted the differences between the first and second Dengue infections.
Rapid tests and marker analysis
During “Talking A”, Dr. Gustavo classified rapid tests as allies of professionals and the population, as they allow for quick access to Dengue identification. Many viral and bacterial infections have symptoms similar to those of this disease; therefore, early and differential diagnoses are important for appropriate clinical management.
The specialist also explained that the onset of infection is the period when the most specific markers are available, namely, viral RNA and NS1:
– The febrile phase of the disease is the period when the most specific markers are available. As the infection progresses, the patient will develop IgM, but it can cross-react with other flaviviruses, such as ZikV and the yellow fever vaccine. So, early diagnosis is very important, since we have these markers available, he said.
The importance of quality control for Dengue diagnosis
Dr. Gustavo emphasized the value of external and internal controls to assist healthcare professionals in Dengue diagnostics and support analysis establishments in complying with the requirements of RDC 786/2023.
– Quality control is of paramount importance for the laboratory to self-assess. It evaluates the results that the establishment is releasing and assesses the kits it is using. This continuous monitoring allows it to fulfill its function in society, which is to release correct results. The beneficiaries are the patients and the general population, he stated.
Controllab, the leading quality control company for exams in Latin America, offers programs for Dengue, addressing different methodologies for serological routines of IgG and IgM, NS1 Antigen, and molecular biology. Check the complete list on the company’s website.
Watch the interview
Click here and check out the new approach of “Talking About Quality”! This is an enriching opportunity for you, a professional working in Dengue analysis, to enhance your knowledge.
Then, take the chance to expand your professional skills on “Advances and challenges in diagnostic tests for Dengue: emphasis on molecular tests and NS1”. This was the topic of the Online Meeting, promoted by Controllab, which Dr. Gustavo recently lectured. The recording of the lecture is available at this link, and you can watch it anytime, anywhere.
Also, subscribe to Controllab’s YouTube channel to access educational content produced by the company firsthand.
