Genome sequence analysis of Ebola virus in clinical samples from three British healthcare workers, August 2014 to March 2015

Euro Surveill. 2015 May 21;20(20):21131. doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.es2015.20.20.21131.

Abstract

We determined complete viral genome sequences from three British healthcare workers infected with Ebola virus (EBOV) in Sierra Leone, directly from clinical samples. These sequences closely resemble those previously observed in the current Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa, with glycoprotein and polymerase genes showing the most sequence variation. Our data indicate that current PCR diagnostic assays remain suitable for detection of EBOV in this epidemic and provide confidence for their continued use in diagnosis.

MeSH terms

  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Ebolavirus / genetics*
  • Ebolavirus / isolation & purification
  • Epidemics
  • Genome, Viral / genetics*
  • Health Personnel*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis
  • Sierra Leone / epidemiology
  • Travel*