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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
A Simple Flow Cytometry Based Assay to Determine In Vitro Antibody Dependent Enhancement of Dengue Virus Using Zika Virus Convalescent Serum
Published on: April 10, 2018
Antibodies against prM protein distinguish between previous infection with dengue and Japanese encephalitis viruses
Mary Jane Cardosa1, Seok Mui Wang, Magdline Sia H Sum
1Institute of Health & Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia. janecardosa@medscape.com
Background:
In Southeast Asia, dengue viruses often co-circulate with other flaviviruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus, and due to the presence of shared antigenic epitopes it is often difficult to use serological methods to distinguish between previous infections by these flaviviruses.
Results:
Convalescent sera from 69 individuals who were known to have had dengue or Japanese encephalitis virus infection were tested by western blotting against dengue, Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus antigens. We determined that individuals who had been infected with dengue viruses had IgG responses against the premembrane protein of dengue viruses but not Japanese encephalitis, whereas individuals who had been infected with Japanese encephalitis had IgG specific for the premembrane protein of Japanese encephalitis virus but not the dengue viruses. None reacted with the premembrane protein of West Nile virus. Using the Pearson Chi Square test, it was determined that the difference between the two groups was highly significant with a p value of <0.001.
Conclusion:
The use of flavivirus premembrane protein in seroepidemiological studies will be useful in determining what flaviviruses have circulated in a community.
Insights
Distinguishing between dengue and Japanese encephalitis virus infections is challenging due to similar flaviviruses. Researchers found that IgG responses to the premembrane protein can accurately differentiate past infections with these viruses.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Dengue and Japanese encephalitis viruses co-circulate in Southeast Asia.
- Shared antigenic epitopes complicate serological differentiation of flavivirus infections.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for understanding disease prevalence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a reliable serological method for distinguishing past dengue virus and Japanese encephalitis virus infections.
- To identify specific viral proteins that elicit differential immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Western blotting was performed on convalescent sera from individuals with known dengue or Japanese encephalitis virus infections.
- Antigens from dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses were used.
- Statistical analysis (Pearson Chi Square test) was applied to assess significance.
Main Results:
- IgG responses specific to the premembrane protein of dengue viruses were observed in individuals with prior dengue infection.
- IgG responses specific to the premembrane protein of Japanese encephalitis virus were found in individuals with prior Japanese encephalitis infection.
- No cross-reactivity was observed with West Nile virus premembrane protein, and the differences between dengue and Japanese encephalitis groups were highly significant (p <0.001).
Conclusions:
- The premembrane protein of flaviviruses can serve as a reliable target for serological differentiation.
- This method is valuable for seroepidemiological studies to determine circulating flaviviruses in a community.
- Accurate identification of past flavivirus infections can improve public health surveillance.
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