Characteristics of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in a recent outbreak in Turkey and impact of oral ribavirin therapy

Clin Infect Dis. 2004 Jul 15;39(2):284-7. doi: 10.1086/422000. Epub 2004 Jul 2.

Abstract

We describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings and the role of ribavirin therapy for 35 patients who received a diagnosis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). All patients had immunoglobulin M antibodies and/or PCR results positive for CCHF virus in blood or tissue specimens. Eighty-six percent of the patients were considered to have severe cases of CCHF. The overall case-fatality rate was 2.8%. Eight patients were given ribavirin, and all 8 survived. We suggest using ribavirin to treat patients with CCHF, particularly those with severe cases.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / blood
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Female
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / blood
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / drug therapy*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / epidemiology
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / mortality*
  • Humans
  • Leukocytosis / mortality
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use*
  • Turkey / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Ribavirin
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase