Severe thrombocytopenia in hantavirus-induced nephropathia epidemica

Nephropathia epidemica is a milder form of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, caused by Puumala virus. The clinical picture is characterized by a rapid loss of renal function (acute kidney injury) and thrombocytopenia. The purpose of the current analysis was to compare the clinical course of patients presenting with or without severe thrombocytopenia. In 47 out of 456 patients with acute nephropathia epidemica, the nadir count of thrombocytes was available for the acute course of the disease. The clinical course of these patients was further analyzed. No major bleeding (e.g., intracranial bleeding or gastrointestinal bleeding) occurred in either group. Creatinine peak levels were higher and proteinuria was more frequently present in the severely thrombocytopenic group. In conclusion, severe thrombocytopenia is common in nephropathia epidemica and is associated with a more severe course of the disease; however, bleeding complications are rare.