An evaluation of the laboratory and clinical data of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In this study, the purpose was to investigate the demographic, laboratory, and clinical characteristics of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) cases that were treated in our hospital during the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It was also investigated whether the patients hospitalized with a provisional diagnosis of CCHF who tested negative for CCHF PCR were infected with COVID-19. In our study, data (epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, prognosis) from 38 patients diagnosed with CCHF through reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and viral-RNA and/or Immunoglobulin M antibodies using ELISA between May 2020 and November 2022 were investigated retrospectively. Of all the patients, 23 were CCHF PCR (+) and 15 were CCHF PCR (-).15 (65.2%) of PCR (+) patients and 9 (60%) of PCR (-) patients were engaged in farming. 65.2% of PCR (+) and 26.7% of PCR (-) patients presented with a history of tick bites. 21 (91.3%) of PCR (+) and 12 (80%) of PCR (-) patients had a history of rural living. Among the PCR (+) patients, 65.2%, 17.4%, and 17.4% received treatment for CCHF in 2022, 2021, and 2020 respectively. 87% of PCR (+) and 60% of PCR (-) patients were discharged after full recovery. The most common symptoms were fever, diffuse body ache, weakness, and headache. Significant differences were found between PCR (+) and PCR (-) patients in terms of leukocytes, LDH, INR, NEU, PLT, fibrinogen, and NLR values. 3 patients hospitalized with a provisional diagnosis of CCHF tested negative for CCHF PCR and positive for COVID-19 PCR. Thoracic CT, clinical, and laboratory findings of these patients showed no differences from the other patients. The possibility of misdiagnosis should be considered in CCHF and COVID-19 infections due to their similar symptoms and indications. Extensive multicentric studies need to be conducted to investigate the causes of the increased number of CCHF cases during the pandemic.

Keywords

• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
• COVID-19
• pandemic
• tick

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