Hantavirus Infection in Children—A Pilot Study of Single Regional Center

Abstract

Background: Hantaviruses are infectious etiological agents of a group of rodent-borne hemorrhagic fevers, with two types of clinical manifestations in humans: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). According to available statistics, the disease occurs mainly in adults, but the lower incidence in the pediatric population might also be related to a lack of diagnosis possibilities or even unsatisfactory knowledge about the disease. Materials and Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cases of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome diagnosed and treated in the Department of Nephrology at St. Mary’s Emergency Hospital for Children in Iasi, Romania, representative of the North-East of Romania. We also reviewed the specialized literature on the topic. Results: Between January 2017 and January 2022, eight cases of HFRS, all men, and seven from rural areas, aged 11–18 years old, were referred to our clinic because of an acute kidney injury (AKI). Seven cases were identified as Dobrava serotype while one case was determined by Haantan serotype. Conclusions: HFRS should always be considered as a differential diagnosis when faced with a patient with AKI and thrombocytopenia. Dobrava serotype is the most common hantavirus subtype in the Balkans. For the specific prevention of human infections, mainly in high-risk groups, vaccines are needed. As far as we know, this is the first study on HFRS in Romanian children.