Ebola virus disease - pathogenesis, clinical presentation and management

Folia Med Cracov. 2014;54(3):49-55.

Abstract

On March 2014 the WHO notified the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Guinea, and infection quickly spread to another West African countries including Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria. Current outbreak is the largest in the history, since discovery of the virus in 1976. Imported cases and infection among healthcare workers in Europe and United States have elucidated necessity of better education of medical staff. Clinicians must be familiar with clinical picture of EVD, differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach, as rapid diagnosis and prompt introduction of supportive therapy can have a significant impact on the survival.

Keywords: Ebola virus disease; clinical presentation; diagnosis; pathogenesis; treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Western / epidemiology
  • Communicable Disease Control / methods
  • Ebolavirus / isolation & purification
  • Ebolavirus / pathogenicity*
  • Epidemics / statistics & numerical data*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / prevention & control*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / therapy*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / transmission
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors