Rapid detection protocol for filoviruses

Background: The incidence of filovirus disease outbreaks has been increasing in recent years. Although there have been advances in the developments of diagnostics, field tests are rare. Apart from family members of infected patients, health care workers are at high risk of being infected during the initial phase of an outbreak. RT-PCR has been shown to be helpful in containing outbreaks. Objectives: To develop Taqman-RT-PCR for the detection of Ebola-Zaire virus (EBOV-Z), Ebola-Sudan virus (EBOV-S) and Marburg virus (MBGV). Study desgin: Quantitative Taqman-RT-PCRs for the detection of these viruses were developed and established on a portable Smartcycler TD. Results and conclusions: All three assays were highly sensitive and specific. The mobility of the assay system may help to contain future outbreaks. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.