Ebola

===Laboratory testing===
Possible non-specific laboratory indicators of EVD include a [[thrombocytopenia|low platelet count]]; an initially [[leucopenia|decreased white blood cell count]] followed by an [[leucocytosis|increased white blood cell count]]; elevated levels of the liver enzymes [[alanine aminotransferase]] (ALT) and [[aspartate aminotransferase]] (AST); and abnormalities in blood clotting often consistent with [[disseminated intravascular coagulation]] (DIC) such as a prolonged [[prothrombin time]], [[partial thromboplastin time]], and [[bleeding time]].<ref name="Kortepeter2011">{{Cite journal |vauthors=Kortepeter MG, Bausch DG, Bray M |date=November 2011 |title=Basic clinical and laboratory features of filoviral hemorrhagic fever |journal=J Infect Dis |volume=204 |issue=Supplement 3 |pages=S810–16 |doi=10.1093/infdis/jir299 |pmid=21987756 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Filovirions such as EBOV may be identified by their unique filamentous shapes in cell cultures examined with [[electron microscopy]].<ref name="Goldsmith2009">{{Cite journal |vauthors=Goldsmith CS, Miller SE |date=October 2009 |title=Modern uses of electron microscopy for detection of viruses |journal=Clinical Microbiology Reviews |type=Review |volume=22 |issue=4 |pages=552–63 |doi=10.1128/CMR.00027-09 |pmc=2772359 |pmid=19822888}}</ref>

The specific diagnosis of EVD is confirmed by isolating the virus, detecting its [[RNA]] or proteins, or detecting [[antibodies]] against the virus in a person's blood.<ref name=CDC2014Diag/> Isolating the virus by [[cell culture]], detecting the viral RNA by [[polymerase chain reaction]] (PCR)<ref name="Bro2016" /><ref name="Goeijenbier2014" /> and detecting proteins by [[enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay]] (ELISA) are methods best used in the early stages of the disease and also for detecting the virus in human remains.<ref name="Bro2016" /><ref name=CDC2014Diag/> Detecting antibodies against the virus is most reliable in the later stages of the disease and in those who recover.<ref name="CDC2014Diag">{{Cite web |date=28 January 2014 |title=Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Diagnosis |url=https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/diagnosis/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924150049/https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/diagnosis/index.html |archive-date=24 September 2014 |access-date=3 August 2014 |publisher=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC)}}</ref> [[Immunoglobulin M|IgM antibodies]] are detectable two days after symptom onset and [[Immunoglobulin G|IgG antibodies]] can be detected six to 18 days after symptom onset.<ref name="Goeijenbier2014" /> During an outbreak, isolation of the virus with cell culture methods is often not feasible. In field or mobile hospitals, the most common and sensitive diagnostic methods are [[real-time PCR]] and ELISA.<ref name="Grolla2005">{{Cite journal |vauthors=Grolla A, Lucht A, Dick D, Strong JE, Feldmann H |date=September 2005 |title=Laboratory diagnosis of Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fever |journal=Bull Soc Pathol Exot |volume=98 |issue=3 |pages=205–09 |pmid=16267962}}</ref> In 2014, with new mobile testing facilities deployed in parts of Liberia, test results were obtained 3–5 hours after sample submission.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2014 |title=Liberia: New Ebola mobile lab speeds up diagnosis and improves care |url=https://www.who.int/features/2014/liberia-mobile-ebola-lab/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024235048/http://who.int/features/2014/liberia-mobile-ebola-lab/en/ |archive-date=24 October 2014 |access-date=26 October 2014 |publisher=[[World Health Organization]] (WHO)}}</ref> In 2015, a rapid antigen test which gives results in 15 minutes was approved for use by WHO.<ref name=WHO2015Test/> It is able to confirm Ebola in 92% of those affected and rule it out in 85% of those not affected.<ref name="WHO2015Test">{{Cite web |title=First Antigen Rapid Test for Ebola through Emergency Assessment and Eligible for Procurement |url=https://www.who.int/medicines/ebola-treatment/1st_antigen_RT_Ebola/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220203131/https://www.who.int/medicines/ebola-treatment/1st_antigen_RT_Ebola/en/ |archive-date=20 February 2015 |access-date=20 February 2015 |publisher=[[World Health Organization]] (WHO)}}</ref>