Reappearance of viral hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in northwestern Greece

Summary Background Minor outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) with renal failure have occurred in northwestern Greece over past decades. However, during the most recent decade, there has been a paucity of human cases despite the detection of hantavirus in rodents of this area. Case reports We...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of infectious diseases 2010-01, Vol.14 (1), p.e13-e15
Main Authors: Akritidis, N, Boboyianni, C, Pappas, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Antibodies, Viral - blood
Greece
Greece - epidemiology
Hanta virus
Hantavirus - isolation & purification
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome - diagnosis
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome - drug therapy
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome - epidemiology
Humans
Infectious Disease
Male
Middle Aged
Pulmonary/Respiratory
Rural Population
Treatment Outcome
Viral hemorrhagic fever
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Summary:Summary Background Minor outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) with renal failure have occurred in northwestern Greece over past decades. However, during the most recent decade, there has been a paucity of human cases despite the detection of hantavirus in rodents of this area. Case reports We present herein the cases of two patients with VHF, arising in the same area, hospitalized for a short period of time. One patient presented with renal failure, while severe hepatic involvement was predominant in the other. Significantly high ELISA antibody titers for hantavirus established the diagnosis. Supportive treatment led to a successful outcome in both cases. We further discuss the difficulties in differential diagnosis of VHF from other zoonoses with similar endemicity, such as leptospirosis. Conclusions Awareness of the continuing presence of VHF in rural Greece is needed, and a rapid diagnosis is important for the correct therapeutic approach. Continuous surveillance for such diseases, at both the animal (rodents) and human level, is warranted.
ISSN:1201-9712
1878-3511
DOI:10.1016/j.ijid.2008.11.029