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Cutaneous manifestations of filovirus infections

Dieudonné Nkoghe1, Eric Maurice Leroy, Médard Toung-Mve

  • 1Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon Ministry of Health, Libreville, Gabon. dnkoghe@hotmail.com

International Journal of Dermatology
|August 23, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus cause severe hemorrhagic fever (HF) with high fatality rates. Diagnosis can be aided by examining skin biopsies, though rash is nonspecific.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus are highly virulent filoviruses causing hemorrhagic fever (HF) outbreaks.
  • These viruses have high case fatality rates, up to 90%, impacting humans and non-human primates.
  • Fruit bats are the suspected reservoir, with transmission through animal contact and human-to-human spread via bodily fluids and practices.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic approaches for Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus infections.
  • To highlight the role of cutaneous manifestations and diagnostic confirmation methods.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on filovirus outbreaks and clinical presentations.
  • Analysis of transmission routes, clinical phases, and diagnostic techniques, including immunohistochemistry.

Main Results:

  • Clinical illness progresses through general, gastrointestinal, and mucocutaneous phases.
  • Hemorrhagic complications are the primary cause of death.
  • Cutaneous manifestations, particularly rash, are nonspecific but skin biopsy can aid diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus pose significant threats due to their high virulence and mortality.
  • While cutaneous signs are not definitive, immunohistochemical analysis of skin or necropsy specimens is crucial for confirming filovirus infection.

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