Evaluation of crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever cases seen in Kütahya between 2009-2020
Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi, vol.82, no.2, pp.249-256, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 82 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.5505/turkhijyen.2025.14306
- Journal Name: Turk Hijyen ve Deneysel Biyoloji Dergisi
- Journal Indexes: Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.249-256
- Keywords: Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, fever, thrombocytopenia
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Objective: The first case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) confirmed by laboratory results was detected in Kütahya province in 2006. This study aimed to retrospectively examine the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients who were followed up with the diagnosis of CCHF since January 1, 2009.Methods: Records of patients whose diagnosis of CCHF was confirmed by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and ELISA between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2020 were examined retrospectively.Results: A total of 28 patients were included in the study. 28 (64%) of the patients were women and the average age was 48,1±14,3 years. 23 of the patients (82%) lived in rural areas, and 93% were engaged in farming and animal husbandry. All applications appeared to be in the spring and summer months. The average time to onset of complaints after tick removal was 6,0±1,8 days, and the time to hospital admission after the onset of complaints was 3,1±1,64 days. The most common complaints were fever and fatigue with 96,4%. 82% of the patients had a history of contact with animals, and the rate of patients reporting a history of tick bite was 86,0%. On physical examination, 96,4% of the patients had fever, 14,3% had gum bleeding, and 17,9% had hematuria. Elevated ASTALT and thrombocytopenia were detected in all patients, and leukopenia was detected in 93,0%. LDH elevation was detected in 93,0% of the patients, CK elevation was detected in 75,0%, and anemia was present in 35,7%. It was observed that ribavirin treatment was started in 28,6% of the patients, and death occurred in one patient (3,6%).Conclusion: CCHF is an endemic disease that maintains its importance in our country and is reported from almost every region. In our region, it also shows seasonal characteristics and is seen sporadically. CCHF should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia who live in rural areas or have a history of traveling to rural areas in spring and summer and present with complaints of fever and fatigue.