Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever and Diagnostics

Choi Myung-Min, Park Ok kyu, Kang Byung Hak, Rhie Gi-eun
Division of High-risk Pathogens, Center for Laboratory Control of Infectious Diseases, KCDC

Marburg hemorrhagic fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Marburg virus. The first case of laboratory infection occurred in Germany. However, this disease occurs mainly in the African continent, namely South Africa, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Uganda. Fruit bats are known to be potent natural hosts, but cases of humanhuman contact propagation or laboratory accidents have a direct impact on the incidence of Marburg fever. Because general symptoms are very similar to other hemorrhagic fever diseases, in particular, Ebola, Lassa fever, and malaria, laboratory diagnostic tests are critical. Laboratory diagnostic tests include molecular biological diagnostic tests and serological diagnostic tests, but there are few licensed diagnostic test kits. Nevertheless, laboratory diagnostic tests for the rapid and accurate detection of the Marburg virus play an important role in preparing for the emergence of a public health crisis.

Keywords: Marburg virus, Marburg hemorrhagic fever, Diagnostic tests