Thrombocytopenia associates with the severity of inflammation and variables reflecting capillary leakage in Puumala Hantavirus infection, an analysis of 546 Finnish patients

AbstractBackground: Hantaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in humans. Hantavirus infections are characterized by thrombocytopenia. Our objective was to assess the association of thrombocytopenia with disease severity in HFRS induced by Puumala hantavirus (PUUV).Methods: Altogether 546 patients treated for acute serologically confirmed PUUV infection during 1982–2013 at Tampere University Hospital, Finland, were examined. Blood platelet count was determined daily and analysed in relation to different variables reflecting disease severity. The patients were divided into two groups according to the minimum platelet count: severe thrombocytopenia (<69 × 109/L, i.e. below median) and no severe thrombocytopenia (≥69 × 109/L).Results: Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150 × 109/L) was detected in 90% of patients, and in 28% of patients platelet count was <50 × 109/L. Patients with severe thrombocytopenia had longer stay (8 versus 7 days, p =...