Lassa fever laboratory findings: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{Lassa fever}} | {{Lassa fever}} | ||
{{CMG}}; {{Ammu}} | {{CMG}}; {{Ammu}} | ||
{{SK}} Lassa hemorrhagic fever; LHF | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
There is a range of [[laboratory]] investigations that are performed to diagnose the disease and assess its course and [[complication]]s. [[ELISA test]] for [[antigen]] and [[IgM]] [[antibodies]] gives 88% [[sensitivity]] and 90% [[specificity]] for the presence of the infection. Other laboratory findings in Lassa fever include [[lymphopenia]] ([[low white blood cell counts]]), [[thrombocytopenia]] (low [[platelet]]s), and elevated [[aspartate aminotransferase]] ([[AST]]) levels in the blood. Lassa fever can also be found in [[cerebrospinal fluid]]. The virus itself may be cultured in 7 to 10 days. [[Immunohistochemistry]] performed on tissue specimens can be used to make a [[post mortem]] diagnosis. The virus can also be detected by [[reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction]] ([[RT-PCR]]); however, this method is primarily a research tool.<ref>Lassa Fever Encephalopathy: Lassa Virus in Cerebrospinal Fluid but Not in Serum | There is a range of [[laboratory]] investigations that are performed to diagnose the disease and assess its course and [[complication]]s. [[ELISA test]] for [[antigen]] and [[IgM]] [[antibodies]] gives 88% [[sensitivity]] and 90% [[specificity]] for the presence of the infection. Other laboratory findings in Lassa fever include [[lymphopenia]] ([[low white blood cell counts]]), [[thrombocytopenia]] (low [[platelet]]s), and elevated [[aspartate aminotransferase]] ([[AST]]) levels in the blood. Lassa fever can also be found in [[cerebrospinal fluid]]. The virus itself may be cultured in 7 to 10 days. [[Immunohistochemistry]] performed on tissue specimens can be used to make a [[post mortem]] diagnosis. The virus can also be detected by [[reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction]] ([[RT-PCR]]); however, this method is primarily a research tool.<ref>Lassa Fever Encephalopathy: Lassa Virus in Cerebrospinal Fluid but Not in Serum | ||
Revision as of 18:07, 5 June 2015
|
Lassa fever Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Lassa fever laboratory findings On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Lassa fever laboratory findings |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Lassa fever laboratory findings |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: Lassa hemorrhagic fever; LHF
Overview
There is a range of laboratory investigations that are performed to diagnose the disease and assess its course and complications. ELISA test for antigen and IgM antibodies gives 88% sensitivity and 90% specificity for the presence of the infection. Other laboratory findings in Lassa fever include lymphopenia (low white blood cell counts), thrombocytopenia (low platelets), and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the blood. Lassa fever can also be found in cerebrospinal fluid. The virus itself may be cultured in 7 to 10 days. Immunohistochemistry performed on tissue specimens can be used to make a post mortem diagnosis. The virus can also be detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); however, this method is primarily a research tool.[1] In West Africa, where Lassa is most prevalent, it is difficult for doctors to diagnose due to the absence of proper equipment to perform tests. [2] Research has been done in the last few year, by a team of specialists, in order to diagnose the Lassa fever on a molecular level.[3]
Laboratory Findings
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assays (ELISA) detect IgM and IgG antibodies as well as Lassa antigen
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)
- Virus culture in 7-10 days.
- Immunohistochemistry.
References
- ↑ Lassa Fever Encephalopathy: Lassa Virus in Cerebrospinal Fluid but Not in Serum Stephan Günther, Boye Weisner, Andreas Roth, Thomas Grewing, Marcel Asper, Christian Drosten, Petra Emmerich, Jochen Petersen, Martin Wilczek and Herbert Schmitz The Journal of Infectious Diseases , Vol. 184, No. 3 (Aug. 1, 2001), pp. 345-349
- ↑ Mojeed, Momoh (14 Nov. 2012.). "Molecular Diagnostics For Lassa Fever At Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Nigeria: Lessons Learnt From Two Years Of Laboratory Operation". Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases. Check date values in:
|date=(help);|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ↑ Ehichioya, Deborah U.; Asogun, Danny A.; Ehimuan, Jacqueline; Okokhere, Peter O.; Pahlmann, Meike; Ölschläger, Stephan; Becker-Ziaja, Beate; Günther, Stephan; Omilabu, Sunday A. Tropical Medicine & International Health. Aug2012, Vol. 17 Issue 8, p1001-1004. 4p. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2012.03010.x.