Ebola Virus RNA Stability in Human Blood and Urine in West Africa's Environmental Conditions

Emerg Infect Dis. 2016 Feb;22(2):292-4. doi: 10.3201/eid2202.151395.

Abstract

We evaluated RNA stability of Ebola virus in EDTA blood and urine samples collected from infected patients and stored in West Africa's environmental conditions. In blood, RNA was stable for at least 18 days when initial cycle threshold values were <30, but in urine, RNA degradation occurred more quickly.

Keywords: Ebola; Ebola virus; RNA stability; West Africa; blood; human samples; rRT-PCR; urine; viruses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Africa, Western
  • Ebolavirus / genetics*
  • Environment
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / virology*
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA Stability*
  • RNA, Viral* / blood
  • RNA, Viral* / urine
  • Specimen Handling

Substances

  • RNA, Viral