Lassa fever laboratory findings
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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. Lassa fever can also be found in cerebrospinal fluid. . 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
- Lymphopenia (low white blood cell counts)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
- Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- The virus itself may be cultured in 7 to 10 days.
Diagnostic Test
- 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.