A case of acute febrile illness with multiple IgM positives: risk of dependence on IgM-based serological tests

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A rapid onset of fever and symptoms such as headache, chills or muscle and joint pains is common in the tropics and sub-tropics and can be caused by very diverse pathogens. Differential diagnosis of these etiologies based on clinical criteria alone is not possible as clinical signs and symptoms of most of these infections are very similar and the correct diagnosis is only possible by using pathogen specific diagnostic tests. For patient treatment and management, differential diagnosis of causative agent is required. Commercial IgM-ELISA kits are used for the diagnosis of many acute infections.