If the diagnosis is suspected early enough, the virus may be isolated during the first three days of the illness.
Later one can demonstrate rising titres of anti-viral antibodies (an increase in immunoglobulin M levels). The yellow fever virus may also be detected by using polymerase chain reaction techniques.
Liver biopsy may provide a diagnosis; histological features include:
Formerly a liver biopsy showing Councilman bodies was believed to specific for yellow fever - however their presence in other viral haemorrhagic fevers makes this uncertain (1).
Reference:
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