Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever: Retrospective Evaluation of Clinical Features and Laboratory Findings of 16 Cases

Abstract

Introduction: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic disease frequently transmitted by tick bite and accompanied by fever and bleeding. It may cause important public health problems. Besides clinical symptoms and epidemiological history, blood count and biochemical test results are the first clues for CCHF. In this study, we aimed to retrospectively evaluate 16 patients who were followed and treated due to CCHF in our hospital. Materials and Methods: The patients who were followed up and treated with CCHF between 2009-2019 in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively in terms of demographic characteristics, presenting complaints, presence of tick history, laboratory parameters, necessity of blood products replacement, hospitalization periods, ribavirin treatment and one-month survival. Results: Sixteen patients [ten females, six males, mean age 50.37 ± 18.01 (min: 18-max: 79)] with the diagnosis of CCHF were included into the study. Presenting complaints were fever (16/16, 100%), fatigue (16/16, 100%), bleeding (9/16, 56.2%), petechial rash (7/16, 43.7%). nausea and vomiting (6/16, 37.5%). There was a history of tick contact in 14 cases (87.5%) but not in two cases. Supportive treatment was applied to all cases, and droplet and contact isolation were applied. Blood product replacement was performed in five patients (31.2%), and ribavirin was administered in nine patients (56.2%). Mortality rate was 6.3% (1/16). Conclusion: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever is an endemic disease in our country. Especially in spring and summer months, patients with fever and cytopenia on hemogram should be questioned, and tick contact should be sought.

Keywords

• crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever
• tick
• ribavirin