title: Laboratory diagnosis of Ebola virus disease and corresponding biosafety considerations in the China Ebola Treatment Center.
abstract: Ebola virus disease (EVD), caused by Ebola virus (EBOV), is a potent acute infectious disease with a high case-fatality rate. Etiological and serological EBOV detection methods, including techniques that involve the detection of the viral genome, virus-specific antigens and anti-virus antibodies, are standard laboratory diagnostic tests that facilitate confirmation or exclusion of EBOV infection. In addition, routine blood tests, liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes and coagulation tests and other diagnostic examinations are important for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of EVD. Because of the viral load in body fluids and secretions from EVD patients, all body fluids are highly contagious. As a result, biosafety control measures during the collection, transport and testing of clinical specimens obtained from individuals scheduled to undergo EBOV infection testing (including suspected, probable and confirmed cases) are crucial. This report has been generated following extensive work experience in the China Ebola Treatment Center (ETC) in Liberia and incorporates important information pertaining to relevant diagnostic standards, clinical significance, operational procedures, safety controls and other issues related to laboratory testing of EVD. Relevant opinions and suggestions are presented in this report to provide contextual awareness associated with the development of standards and/or guidelines related to EVD laboratory testing.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Laboratory Medicine , Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , People's Republic of China .|b Medical Contingent of the Chinese PLA to Liberia , Chongqing, People's Republic of China , and.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: a Department of Laboratory Medicine , Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , People's Republic of China .
authors.forename: Wei-Ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: b Medical Contingent of the Chinese PLA to Liberia , Chongqing, People's Republic of China , and.|c Department of Infectious Diseases , Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jian-Ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: b Medical Contingent of the Chinese PLA to Liberia , Chongqing, People's Republic of China , and.|c Department of Infectious Diseases , Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University , Chongqing , People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Mao
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003264:Containment of Biohazards; D029043:Ebolavirus; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans
keywords: Ebola virus; Ebola virus disease; Zaire Ebola virus; biosafety control measures; laboratory diagnosis