Abstract

Objective: To compare diagnostic performance of SD Biosensor rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) (NS1, IgG, IgM) with other commercially employed RDTs.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two hospitals in Indonesia, enrolling 242 patients with suspected dengue. All patients were tested using both SD Biosensor RDT and alternative RDTs, with RT-PCR as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were assessed, and the groups were compared using the McNemar test.
Results: The SD Biosensor RDT exhibited higher sensitivity (65.2%) and NPV (74.5%), making it preferable for early detection. In contrast, alternative RDTs had higher specificity (96.9%) and PPV (90.6%), making them more effective for confirmatory diagnosis. McNemar analysis also showed a significant difference between the two tests.
Conclusion: The choice of RDT should be guided by clinical priorities. Enhancing RDT accuracy and addressing cross-reactivity remain critical for improving dengue diagnosis, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Key words: Rapid diagnostic test, biosensor, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value.