Evaluation of cases with a preliminary diagnosis of Crimean- Congo hemorrhagic fever and comparison of characteristics in patients admitted to a secondary care hospital in Kastamonu, Turkey.

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an endemic disease in Turkey. The clinical presentation and laboratory findings are not specific especially in cases without hemorrhagic findings. Objective: We aimed to evaluate CCHF cases and compare them with non-CCHF cases in terms of their characteristics during admission. Methods: Cases with a preliminary diagnosis of CCHF at a secondary care hospital in Kastamonu in 2013 were evaluated, retrospectively. Cases testing RNA/IgM positive were considered as CCHF. Cases testing both RNA and IgM negative were considered as non-CCHF. The two groups were then compared in terms of their clinical, laboratory and epidemiological characteristics during admission. Results: A total of 41 cases were tested and CCHF was found in 46.3% of cases. Fatality was 5.3% in CCHF cases. The frequency of tick bites and CK elevation in CCHF cases was significantly higher than non-CCHF cases (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding other characteristics (p>0.05). Conclusions:In cases with a preliminary diagnosis of CCHF, especially in cases without a history of tick bite and with normal CK levels during admission, performing tests for the differential diagnosis may be advisable without waiting for the results of tests for CCHF.

Evaluation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever suspected cases admitted to a secondary care hospital in Kastamonu, Turkey between 2014-2017

“…Contact with animals was more commonly reported in CCHF cases than non-CCHF cases, but, a history of tick bite was similar between the two groups in Bolu, Turkey17. Similar to a previous study conducted in our hospital19, we found that the frequency of tick bites was significantly higher in CCHF cases than non-CCHF cases (p<0.05). Other endemic tick-borne diseases in Kastamonu are tularemia and rickettsiosis, however their clinical presentations are greatly different from CCHF.…”

“…In our hospital, 342 CCHF cases were diagnosed between 2005–2010 and the fatality rate was reported to be 2.9%15. However, 19 CCHF cases were diagnosed in our hospital in 2013 and the fatality rate was determined as 5.3%19. In our study, 31 cases were diagnosed with CCHF in 2014–2017 and the fatality rate was 9.6%.…”

“…Consistently, most CCHF cases are farmers and animal husbanders. Housewives in rural areas participate actively in farming and animal husbandry in Turkey19,21–28. No housewives were present in our study, since housewives generally live in rural areas and actively work in farming or animal husbandry in Kastamonu, Turkey 19…”

A Case of Brucellosis and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Coinfection in an Endemic Area

“…Aynı zamanda bu parametreler, prognozu öngörmede sıklıkla kullanılmaktadır 12 . KKKA olgularda en sık görülen semptomlar ise sırasıyla ateş, baş ağrısı, kas ağrısı, bulantı, kusma, karın ağrısı, ishal ve hemorajik bulgular olarak belirtilmektedir 13 . Ayrıca birçok farklı çalışmada benzer klinik ve laboratuvar bulgularına değinilmiştir 14,15 .…”

Editorial

“…Turkish workers report on Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and clinical laboratory diagnosis. 16 In a unique article, Simon Ndira and others report on their experience on tackling malaria by medical students and communities in Eastern Uganda, 17 while Eric Some et al report on PMTCT of HIV in Burkina Faso -that land of upright people. 18 Screening for vancomycin-resistant enterococci is possible but not cost effective so conclude Turkish researchers.…”