Added Value of an Anti-Ebola Serology for the Management of Clinically Suspected Ebola Virus Disease Patients Discharged as Negative in an Epidemic Context
Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Survivors from Ebola virus disease (EVD) may be at the origin of EVD resurgence. METHODS: Simultaneous reactivity to at least 2 Ebola virus or Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV) antigens was detected in 11 of 488 (2.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-4.0) suspected EVD patients who were discharged as negative after 2 consecutive negative tests during the 10th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. RESULTS: After extrapolating the total number of individuals discharged as negative during the entire outbreak, we estimated a total of 1314 additional missed Ebola cases. CONCLUSIONS: These findings emphasize the usefulness of an EBOV serology analysis and the importance of extending epidemic surveillance to clinically suspected cases who were discharged as negative.
Authors: Antoine Nkuba-Ndaye, Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka, Junior Bulabula-Penge, Guillaume Thaurignac, François Edidi-Atani, Fabrice Mambu-Mbika, Bernice Danga-Yema, Meris Matondo-Kuamfumu, Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki, Nella Bisento, Raphaël Lumembe-Numbi, Gabriel Kabamba-Lungenyi, Divine Kitsa-Mutsumbirwa, Nelson Kambale-Sivihwa, François Boillot, Eric Delaporte, Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Ahidjo Ayouba, Martine Peeters, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,320
OpenAlex ID: W4213036694