Two cases of imported hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and systematic review of literature. Issue 28 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Puca, Edmond; Qato, Migena; Pipero, Pellumb; Akshija, Ilir; Kote, Majlinda; Kraja, Dhimiter
• Is Part Of: Travel medicine and infectious disease. Issue 28(2019)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) -- Immigrant -- Travel -- Imported diseases; Travel -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2018.07.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-8939

Abstract

Abstract: Many factors are involved in the epidemiology of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Imported cases, as well as those by emigrants, have been reported in literature worldwide. Our goal is to document two cases of HFRS, imported by two immigrants from two countries, and to make a review of the imported HFRS literature data. We performed a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines) of imported cases of HFRS and herein describe our two clinical cases. We found 20 published papers, with 16 of them in English and 4 in other languages. Twenty-three patients with travel- or immigration-associated HFRS, including our two cases, were identified. We included only papers that were in English. The average age of the patients was 35.9 ± 15.13 years, and the ratio of male to female was 8:1. Imported disease from Europe to Europe occurred in seven cases, America to Europe occurred in four cases, Europe to America occurred in two cases, America to America occurred in two cases, Asia to Asia in one case, Asia to Europe in one case, and Europe to Asia in one case. The results of the two cited cases are based on the clinical–laboratory, anamnestic, and serologic data for both the patients who tested positive for HFRS. Our systematic analysis shows that international travelers are important sources of infectious diseases. HFRS related to travel and immigration is a rare event. Principal risk factors for travelers and immigrants are camping outside recommended areas or under unsuitable conditions. In recent years, various publications have shown that international travelers and immigrants have expanded the spectrum of imported infectious diseases. The literature data show that the actual reported numbers of imported case of HFRS are limited.