Human dengue antibodies against structural and nonstructural proteins

Antibodies against dengue virus type 2 and 4 proteins in acute-phase sera o f 10 primary and 10 secondary dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever pat ients were studied by Western blotting. In the first group the immune respo nse was barely detectable, while in the second group more proteins were det ected, with a very strong reaction. Anti-NS1 and -NS3 antibodies were detec ted mainly in secondary cases. Anti-E, -NS3, and -NS5 antibodies were detec ted in a high number of cases. The possibility of implementing early diagno stic assays for antigen detection is suggested.