[Confirmatory Diagnosis of Re-Emerging Filoviruses]

Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus, part of the filovirus family (Filoviridae), are class 1 infectious diseases that can cause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and have a high mortality rate of 75% or more. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of filovirus infections is crucial for effective outbreak control and patient management. The gold-standard methods for diagnosing filoviruses are gene detection, antigen test and antibody test. Diagnostic capabilites have improved owing to advancement in point-of-care testing and the use of mobile laboratory facilities, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, challenges associated with development, standardization, and validation of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tools remain. In this article, we introduce the role of gene and antigen detection tests and serological tests in filovirus diagnosis, and compare and describe the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of each of these tests.