Dengue NS1 antigen (Blood)

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Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Virology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

MOSK

Test Code (Numeric Code)

8301

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Both EDTA whole blood and serum are required for arbovirus testing. Additional specimen types may be appropriate for arbovirus testing in specific situations. Please discuss with Clinical Virology prior to sending. CSF - flavivirus encephalitis Urine - Zika virus and Dengue virus infection (PCR positivity rate in urine is greater than serum from day 7 onwards after symptom onset) Amniotic fluid - congenital Zika virus infection.

Transport

Ambient (8 - 24 °C) within 48 hours; Chilled (4 - 8 °C) if longer than 48 hours

Registration

MOSK

Sample Stability

Up to 48 hours: 8 - 24 °C; Up to 14 days: 4 - 8 °C; Up to 6 months: -30 °C; Indefinite at - 80 °C

Associated Tests

Synonyms

Dengue Non-Structural Protein 1
Arbovirus

Turnaround Time

4 days

Some viruses PCR or serology may be referred to another laboratory. The turnaround time for these referred tests is variable.

This test may be vetted by the laboratory. Please include relevant clinical information on the request form to ensure appropriate tests are approved. See the 'Clinical Information' section below for more information on the indications for testing.

Specimen Type

  • Serum
  • Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • EDTA (Lavender Cap)
  • SST II (Gold Cap)
Acceptable
  • EDTA (Microtainer)
  • Plain(Microtainer)
  • SST(Microtainer)
  • Plain (Red Top)
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

3.5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • EDTA (Lavender Cap)
  • SST II (Gold Cap)
Acceptable
  • EDTA (Microtainer)
  • Plain(Microtainer)
  • SST(Microtainer)
  • Plain (Red Top)
Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Pre-testing Requirements

Appropriate requests:
Arbovirus testing will only be performed for requests that are clinically and epidemiologically compatible with recent infection. Valid requests must contain the following clinical details:
- Locations visited
- Date of symptom onset and specific symptoms (including significant co-morbidities and complications: e.g. immunosuppressed/pregnant, haemorrhage, encephalitis, arthritis)
- Date of return to New Zealand

Example: '' Travel to Bali, 07 Jan symptom onset with fever and rash, 14 Jan return to NZ''
Requesting individual arbovirus testing is not necessary. Testing will be targeted to detect clinically and epidemiologically compatible arboviruses regardless of arbovirus species detailed on request form.

Inappropriate requests:
Arbovirus testing will not be performed on individuals without clinical symptoms consistent with recent arbovirus infection (e.g. asymptomatic pregnant women who have travelled to Zika endemic areas). This is due to antibody cross-reactivity between arboviruses making positive results challenging to interpret.

Arbovirus testing will not be performed on specimens received >14 days after symptom onset as results are unlikely to alter clinical management. Please discuss with Clinical Virology prior to requesting.

Additional Specimen Information

Specimen processing instructions:

Register MOSK for all arbovirus/mosquito-borne virus testing requests and send to Virology for review and allocation of specific tests.

Send EDTA unspun (whole blood)

Send Serum spun (separated)

Molecular Infectious Disease unit instructions:

Review requests alongside guidance from Clinical Virologists.

For requests for Dengue, Chikungunya or Zika PCR, retain MOSK registration code

For any of the following tests, remove MOSK and test add the required serology test

Performed in Serology:
Dengue virus serology - DEN

Sendaway to Christchurch:
Zika virus serology - ZIKV
Chikungunya virus serology - CHIK

Sendaway to ESR Wallaceville:
Ross River virus - RRS

Sendaway to Westmead:
West Nile virus serology - WNVS
Yellow Fever serology - YELF
Japanese Encephalitis virus - JENC
Murray Valley Encephalitis virus - MVS

Consult with the clinical team for the referring lab:
Barmah Forest virus

Last updated: 13/05/2026