Clinical features of suspected Ebola cases referred to the Moyamba ETC, Sierra Leone: Challenges in the later stages of the 2014 outbreak

Javier Arranz, Karen Marie Lundeby, Shoaib Hassan, Luis Matías Zabala Fuentes, Pedro San José Garcés, Yngvar Lunde Haaskjold, Håkon Angell Bolkan, Kurt Østhuus Krogh, James Jongopi, Sindre Mellesmo, Ola Jøsendal, Åsmund Øpstad, Erling Svensen, Alfred Sandy Kamara, David P. Roberts, Paul D. Stamper, Paula Austin, Alfredo J. Moosa, Dennis Marke, Åse BergBjørn Blomberg, Melcior Riera

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The last ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak has been the most important since 1976. EVD cases decreased drastically in Sierra Leone at the beginning of 2015. We aim to determine the clinical findings and evolution of patients admitted to an Ebola treatment center (ETC) during the epidemic's late phase. Methods: We analyze retrospectively data of patients admitted to the Moyamba ETC (December 2014-March 2015). Patients were classified in EVD or non-EVD patients according to the results of Ebola virus real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (ZAIRE-RT-PCR). Results: Seventy-five patients were included, 41.3 % were positive for ZAIRE-RT-PCR. More women (68 % vs 28 %, p = 0.001) were EVD-positive. More EVD patients had previous contact with an Ebola patient (74.2 % vs 36.3 %, p < 0.001). At admission, EVD patients were more likely to have fatigue (96.7 %, p < 0.001), diarrhea (67.7 %, p = 0.002), and muscle pain (61.3 %, p = 0.009); but only objective fevers in 35.5 % of EVD patients. The most reliable criteria for diagnosis were: contact with an Ebola patient plus three WHO symptoms (LR + =3.7, 95 % CI = 1.9-7.3), and positive contact (LR + =2.3, 95 % CI = 1.15-4.20). Only 45.2 % of EVD patients developed fevers during stay, but 75 % developed gastrointestinal symptoms. Non-EVD patients had gastrointestinal problems (33 %), respiratory conditions (26.6 %), and others such as malaria, HIV or tuberculosis with a mortality rate of 11.4 %. vs 58 % in EVD group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: More non-EVD patients were admitted in the outbreak's late phases. The low percentage of initial fever highlights the need to emphasize the epidemiological information. EVD patients presented new symptoms getting worse and requiring closer follow-up. Diagnoses of non-EVD patients were diverse with a remarkable mortality, presenting a challenge for the health system.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number308
JournalBMC infectious diseases
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 22 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Clinical features of suspected Ebola patients
  • Diagnostic validation
  • Ebola virus disease (EVD)
  • Sierra Leone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases

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