Identification of Hantaan virus-related structures in kidneys of cadavers with haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

The etiologic agent of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), Hantaan virus, was first isolated in 1976. Since then numerous Hantaan-like viruses have been isolated and five serotypes of Hantavirus have been recognized. Serological studies indicate that these viruses are globally distributed, with each serotype occurring in specific areas. Hantaan virus has been intensively studied antigenically, biochemically, and genetically. However there is still a paucity of information on the pathogenesis of Hantaan virus in the human host. In this paper, we report the detection by thin section immune electron microscopy of the occurrence of numerous dense precipitates, typical inclusion bodies, a surface antigen layer, as well as Hantaan virion-like structures in the kidneys of patients that died during the acute phase of HFRS. These findings may shed some light on understanding the pathogenesis of HFRS in target organs most affected by the disease, such as the kidneys.