Comprehensive Dengue Diagnostic Protocol

Following standard operating procedures, venous blood samples were collected. Whole blood was collected in a K₃ EDTA vacuum tube and a gel and clot activator tube. A complete blood profile (hemoglobin, RBC and RBC indices, hematocrit, total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, and platelets) was performed from blood samples collected in a K₃ EDTA tube with a hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter DxH 520, USA). Similarly, a biochemistry analyzer (Selectra Pro S, ELITech Group, Netherlands) was used to perform biochemical analyses on enzymes (ALP, ALT, AST), bilirubin (total and direct), proteins (total protein and albumin), and nonprotein nitrogenous compounds (urea and creatinine) via a serum sample. Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte:monocyte ratio (LMR), and AST/ALT ratio were calculated based on data.
A serum sample was used to detect dengue infection. Qualitative dengue detection was based on the principle of the rapid chromatographic immunoassay (Dengue NS1 + IgM/IgG Combo Rapid Test, Healgen®). Patients with positive dengue cases were tested for either NS1 or IgM positivity or both NS1 and IgM positivity. Any result that was negative on any one of these profiles was treated as a dengue-negative case. All results were verified by a medical laboratory technologist and a microbiologist.