[Nephropathia epidemica. Hantavirus nephritis--a differential diagnosis in acute abdomen]

Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is an infectious disease caused by hantavirus of the Bunyavirus family and carried by little rodents, in Denmark presumably by the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). The disease usually presents with self-limiting renal failure, thrombocytopenia, fever, lower back and/or abdominal pain. As such it might be confused with for example acute abdomen as shown by the two cases given. Final diagnosis is based upon demonstrating antibody formation against hantavirus.