The minor problem of hemostatic impairment in nephropathia epidemica, the mild Scandinavian form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome

Abstract

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is the mild Scandinavian form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Its hemorrhagic manifestations are so mild that initially--as its name implies--it was not considered a hemorrhagic fever. It is, however, clinically, histologically, and epidemiologically similar to Korean hemorrhagic fever (KHF) except that hemorrhagic manifestations are fewer and mortality is lower. The etiologic agents of the two disorders, Puumala virus (NE) and Hantaan virus (KHF), are closely related. NE is the most benign of the hemorrhagic fevers. Hemostatic impairment is not a significant clinical problem in this disease and therefore has not been thoroughly studied, although abnormalities in hemostasis have been noted. Further investigations of this disease might provide insights concerning the treatment of other, more severe, hemorrhagic fevers.