Laboratory diagnosis for dengue.

In general, the dengue ́s laboratory diagnosis aims: 1) laboratory, serologic and/or virologic infection ́s confirmation; 2) identification of circulating serotypes; 3) laboratory confirmation of severe and fatal cases; 4) support for epidemiological investigations to determine the levels of disease transmission and 5) performance of molecular studies in order to identify existing genotypes in the region (VORNDAM & KUNO, 1997). For adequate effectiveness of the laboratory diagnosis, it is required to take into account the appropriate time for blood sampling and to what type of test it is designated. This information is of great importance when interpreting the results.