[Puumala virus infection (nephropathia epidemica) as different diagnosis of acute renal failure].

UNLABELLED

Puumala virus infection (nephropathia epidemica) as different diagnosis of acute renal failure.

HISTORY

A 34-year old patient presented in reduced status with a sudden onset of fever, headache, backpain, abdominal pain, mild diarrhea, nausea with vomiting, and blurred vision. Within a few days an acute renal failure developed.

INVESTIGATIONS

On admittance there was thrombocytopenia of 27/nl, CRP of 109 mg/l and proteinuria of 5 g/l, moderate glucosuria and erythrocyturia of 250/microliter. Renal biopsy showed acute hemorrhagic interstitial nephritis. DIAGNOSIS, THERAPY AND FOLLOW UP: Diagnosis of nephropathia epidemica was proven by puumala-virus IgM- and later IgG-antibodies. Hantaan-antibodies were negative. Maximum serum creatinine of 640 micromol/l and urea of 30.5 mmol/l developed on the 5(th) day after admission. Without specific therapy the patient recovered fast and there were no persisting abnormalities during a 2-year follow up.

CONCLUSION

In young patients with acute renal failure of unknown origin with the above symptoms hantavirus-infection with the subtypes puumala and dobrava should be considered in Central Europe.