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Diagnosis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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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:

  • fatty change
  • mid-zone necrosis
  • Councilman's bodies

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:

  • (1) Travel Medicine in Practice (2001), 3 (1), 6-7.

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