Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (Hantaviruses)

Hantaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses belonging to the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae. These agents are usual parasites of wild rodents and insectivores. Many species worldwide are infected with these viruses and each Hantavirus type is carried by its own type specific rodent species. Human transmission occurs accidentally by inhalation of aerosolized virus containing particles, contact with urine, feces or secretions of infected rodents. Hantavirus leads to two type of zoonotic infections; Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Ecological and environmental changes, alterations in rodent population size, viral durability in nature, and changes in human life style that augment rodent exposure are the main causes that may affect the incidence of HFRS infection. The hallmarks of HFRS infection are fever, hypotension, hemorrhage and acute renal failure with acute interstitial nephritis. Clinical course of the disease varies between HFRS virus types. PUUV infection that is mostly seen in Europe has the mildest course and up to 90% of the cases are asymptomatic. Serological tests, molecular tests and virologic cell culture are used for HFRS diagnosis. There is no specific antiviral drug, immunotherapy or vaccine approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although ribavirin seems to decrease mortality in animal models; there are few data in the literature considering the effect of ribavirin on HFRS infections. Control and management of the symptoms with supportive care is the main modality for HFRS treatment. Reduction of the frequency and intensity of rodent exposure is very important for the prevention. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2014; Special Issue 1: S41-S49