Lactating mothers infected with Ebola virus: EBOV RTPCR of blood only may be insufficient

摘要

We describe two Ebola virus (EBOV) RT-PCR discordant mother–child pairs. In the first, blood from the breastfeeding mother, recovering from EBOV infection, tested negative twice but her urine tested positive. Her child became infected by EBOV and died. In the second, the breastfed child remained EBOV-negative, although the mother’s blood tested positive. We highlight possible benefits of EBOV RT-PCR testing in urine and breast milk and the need for hygiene counselling when those fluids are EBOV-positive.