HEMORRHAGIC-FEVER WITH RENAL SYNDROME IN AN ENDEMIC AREA OF GREECE

From 1983 to 1990, 32 patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) were admitted to our hospital. The diagnosis was confirmed by high IgM type titers of antibodies to Hantaan virus. All patients presented with serum and urine abnormalities suggesting renal involvement. Serum creatinine was elevated and ranged between 1.8 and 14.3 mg/dl. Proteinuria ranged between 0.5 and 6.4 g/24 h. Seven patients died due to shock or hemorrhage, while 6 patients were supported by hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Five of them had a complete recovery. Two patients were discharged with some degree of renal impairment which remained stable 12-15 months later. Kidney biopsy in the first patient performed 1 year after his discharge revealed some degree of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy as well as an area with ischemic and sclerosed glomeruli. We conclude that HFRS in Greece is a severe disease with a high mortality rate. The disease may cause chronic renal failure in a limited number of patients.