Abstract

Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is the most sensitive quantitative diagnostic assay for detection of Ebola virus in multiple body fluids. Despite the strengths of this assay, we present 2 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and highlight the potential for false-negative results during the early and late stages of EVD. The first case emphasizes the low negative-predictive value of qRT-PCR during incubation and the early febrile stage of EVD, and the second case emphasizes the potential for false-negative results during recovery and late neurologic complications of EVD. Careful interpretation of test results are needed to guide difficult admission and discharge decisions in suspected or confirmed EVD.

Details

Title
Interpretation of Negative Molecular Test Results in Patients With Suspected or Confirmed Ebola Virus Disease: Report of Two Cases
Author
Edwards, Jeffrey K 1 ; Kleine, Christian 2 ; Munster, Vincent 3 ; Giuliani, Ruggero 4 ; Massaquoi, Moses 5 ; Sprecher, Armand 4 ; Chertow, Daniel S 6 

 Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Center of Brussels, Belgium; Department of International Health, School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 
 Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Center of Brussels, Belgium; Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, J.W. Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany 
 Laboratory of Virology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, Montana 
 Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Center of Brussels, Belgium 
 Clinton Health Initiative, Monrovia, Liberia 
 Médecins Sans Frontières, Operational Center of Brussels, Belgium; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 
Publication year
2015
Publication date
Fall 2015
Publisher
Oxford University Press
e-ISSN
23288957
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3171010553
Copyright
© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.