Fingerstick Rapid Diagnostic Test for Ebola Virus Disease Performs Well in the Field

The ReEBOV point-of-care rapid diagnostic test for EVD had 100% sensitivity and 92% specificity in a small study population, as well as in reference-laboratory samples.

Currently, diagnosis of Ebola virus disease (EVD) requires venipuncture to collect blood for reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, which potentially exposes health workers and laboratory technicians to infective blood. The ReEBOV Antigen Rapid Test — a dipstick immunoassay — detects Ebola virus VP40 matrix protein antigen in whole blood collected by fingerstick or venipuncture or in plasma.

Using manufacturer-supplied test kits, investigators assessed ReEBOV performance in two Ebola care facilities in Sierra Leone. Patients who met the EVD case definition (N=105) had whole blood samples collected via venipuncture for RT-PCR and fingerstick samples obtained for the rapid diagnostic test. ReEBOV results were assesse…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Fingerstick Rapid Diagnostic Test for Ebola Virus Disease Performs Well in the Field

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Reviewing Author