Infection with a novel virus causes hemorrhagic fever in China

SummaryBackgroundPatients have been identified with hemorrhagic fever (HF) caused by Huaiyangshan virus (HYSV) infection since 2009. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, epidemiological factors, and therapeutic responses in patients with Huaiyangshan hemorrhagic fever (HYSHF).MethodsA total of 57 patients with a suspected HF were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases, the Affiliated Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College between June 2009 and October 2010. A potential infection with HYSV was determined by indirect immunofluorescent assay and reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR. The clinical symptoms, epidemiological characteristics, laboratory examinations, and therapeutic responses of these patients were evaluated.ResultsForty-eight out of 57 patients were diagnosed with HYSHF. They displayed diverse clinical symptoms, such as an acute febrile flu-like illness, and progressed to proteinuria, hemorrhagic manifestations, and encephalopathy. Some patients exhibited progressive leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, liver and kidney dysfunction, and systemic cell injury. Following symptom-specific treatment, 35 patients recovered completely and 13 patients died from severe complications, including central nervous system manifestations.ConclusionsPatients with HYSHF displayed diverse clinical symptoms and laboratory findings. Such patients should be treated immediately and closely monitored to prevent severe complications.