Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in northern Alberta, Canada: clinical and laboratory findings for 19 cases.

We reviewed the clinical and laboratory findings for 19 cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) identified either serologically or by immunohistochemical testing of archival tissue at our tertiary care center. Fever (95%), cough (89%), and dyspnea (89%) were the most common presenting symptoms. The most prevalent presenting signs were respiratory abnormalities (95%) and tachycardia (84%). Common laboratory findings included thrombocytopenia (95%) and leukocytosis (79%). Elevated aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were found in all patients tested. Intubation was required in 58% of the patients, and inotropic support was required in 53%. Our study confirms that serological responses appear early during clinical illness, making the enzyme immunoassay a useful tool for the diagnosis of acute HPS. The mortality (26%) and severity of disease that we observed among patients with HPS appear to be less than those reported elsewhere.