Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus for Clinicians-Diagnosis, Clinical Management, and Therapeutics

Abstract

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is the most geographically widespread tickborne viral infection worldwide and has a fatality rate of up to 62%. Despite its widespread range and high fatality rate, no vaccines or treatments are currently approved by regulatory agencies in the United States or Europe. Supportive treatment remains the standard of care, but the use of antiviral medications developed for other viral infections have been considered. We reviewed published literature to summarize the main aspects of CCHFV infection in humans. We provide an overview of diagnostic testing and management and medical countermeasures, including investigational vaccines and limited therapeutics. CCHFV continues to pose a public health threat because of its wide geographic distribution, potential to spread to new regions, propensity for genetic variability, potential for severe and fatal illness, and limited medical countermeasures for prophylaxis and treatment. Clinicians should become familiar with available diagnostic and management tools for CCHFV infections in humans.

Keywords: CCHFV; Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever; bunyaviruses; countermeasures; treatment; vaccine; viral hemorrhagic fever; viruses; zoonoses.

Figure

Overview of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus symptom onset, clinical course, and diagnostic testing timeframes. ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; DIC disseminated intravascular coagulation; PLTs, platelets; PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder; WBCs, white blood cells.