
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Rift valley fever laboratory findings
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Laboratory investigations are required for diagnosis of Rift valley fever and to observe hemoglobin, bilirubin and blood coagulation profiles.
Lab Findings
Lab Findings
- The main purpose is to detect the virus in the blood, which can be accomplished by a few tests.
- RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) and ELISA test (for antigen detection) may be used during the initial phase of the illness.[1]
- IgM Antibodies : Once the viral load decreases in the blood, IgM antibody tests are helpful in detecting the presence of ongoing infection.
- IgG Antibodies : In recovered cases, testing for IgG antibodies aid in identifying cases who may have had a recent episode of RVF.
- In majority of cases, lab findings will not be significant for anything else except fever and low blood pressure.
- Low hemoglobin levels, raised bilirubin levels along with deranged blood coagulation profile and decreased platelet counts are seen in hemorrhagic RVF.
- Increased leukocytes in CSF along with presence of viral load in CSF would indicate encephalitis or meningitis due to RVF.
References
References
- ↑ Hartman A. Rift Valley Fever. Clin Lab Med. 2017;37(2):285-301. doi:10.1016/j.cll.2017.01.004
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aakash Hans, MD[2]
