SYBR green and TaqMan real-time PCR assays are equivalent for the diagnosis of dengue virus type 3 infections.

Dengue is the most important arthropod-borne viral disease in the world. A rapid diagnostic test for dengue is warranted, and real-time polymerase chain reaction may improve diagnosis. TaqMan and Sybr Green systems were evaluated for the diagnosis of dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3) infections. Out of 77 patients with clinical suspicion of dengue infection, specific IgM antibodies were detected in 40 patients. DENV-3 was detected and quantitated in 17 IgM-positive samples by both systems. These assays were shown to be rapid, and specific for detection of DENV-3, and that for diagnostic purposes, there is no difference between these two assays.