Serological evidence of Hantaan virus in Slovakia during 1989-1991.

Nephropathia epidemica was supposed to be an European form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). However, in 1989-1991 we found serological evidence of infection with Hantaan virus in patients' sera from Slovakia. Higher titers of antibodies against Hantaan virus were detected in sera of 6 out of 75 patients with febrile disease, renal failure and clinical diagnosis of HFRS. The higher titers of antibodies against Puumala virus were detected in sera of 6 out of 75 patients. Serologic differentiation between Hantaan and Puumala infection in patients was based on the detection of higher antibody titers (4-fold or greater differences).