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. 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. [1] Research has been done in the last few years, by a team of specialists, in order to diagnose the Lassa fever on a molecular level.[2] Potentially infectious diagnostic specimens are routinely handled and tested in U.S. laboratories in a safe manner, by closely following the standard safety precautions.
Lab tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Urinalysis
- Liver function tests.
- Chest X-rays.
Laboratory Findings
- Lymphopenia (low white blood cell counts)
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
- Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
- Proteinuria in urine analysis.
- The virus itself may be cultured in 7 to 10 days.
- Chest X-rays shows basilar pneumonitis and pleural effusions.
References
- ↑ 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.