Minor groove binder modification of widely used TaqMan hydrolysis probe for detection of dengue virus reduces risk of false-negative real-time PCR results for serotype 4.

•Dengue is a viral disease caused by four major serotypes infecting > 50 million annually.•Real-time PCR offers sensitive detection of dengue viraemia.•A widely used real-time PCR assay is less sensitive with dengue serotype 4 samples.•Serotype 4 detection is restored by addition of a minor groove binder to the probe.