Ebola: Lab Test

Laboratory parameters 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests – examination in special laboratory (protection level 4)!

  • Pathogen detection from blood:
    • RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction).
    • Virus detection from whole blood by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS; SERS test): in this test, gold particles are surrounded by a silicon capsule; antibodies are attached to their surface to bind the virus. The virus can alter Raman scattering, which can be detected by SERS. Ebola detection was successful with a sensitivity of 90.0% at a specificity of 97.9%, giving an overall accuracy of 96.6%. Test duration: approx. 30 min.
    • Virus cultivation in the acute phase
    • IgM, IgG detection from week 4.
  • Small blood count
  • Differential blood count
  • Inflammatory parameter – CRP (C-reactive protein)
  • Fasting glucose (fasting blood sugar)
  • Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT, GGT), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin.
  • Renal parameters – urea, creatinine, cystatin C or creatinine clearance, if necessary.
  • Coagulation parameters – PTT, Quick
  • Blood cultures