Suspected Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever cases in Albania

Scand J Infect Dis. 2008;40(11-12):978-80. doi: 10.1080/00365540802144125.

Abstract

During 2003 to 2006 samples from 34 Albanian patients with suspected Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) were tested by serology and PCR for CCHF virus; negative samples were further tested for hantaviruses, Leptospira spp. and Rickettsia spp. CCHF virus was detected in 38.2% of cases, hantaviruses in 11.7%, and leptospirosis and rickettsiosis were diagnosed in 29.4% and 2.9% of cases, respectively. There is a seasonal and clinical overlapping among the 4 diseases in Albania, suggesting that testing for these agents is necessary in cases with fever and haemorrhagic manifestations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Albania / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Hemorrhagic Fever Virus, Crimean-Congo / isolation & purification
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction