Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome: a study of sequelae following nephropathia epidemica

Sequelae following Nephropathia epidemica (NE) were investigated in 792 individuals living in an endemic area of Sweden. Volunteers were tested for presence of Puumala (PUU) virus specific IgG antibodies in serum, as well as several parameters linked with renal dysfunction and cardiovascular disease (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, ECG, BMI, total cholesterol and serum creatinine). No differences were seen in any of the variables tested between PUU virus antibody positive (n = 110) and negative individuals (n = 682). In addition, the blood pressure was measured in 62 serologically confirmed patients diagnosed with clinical NE 2-6 years previously. One patient with moderate hypertension was found.