Edmond Puca1, Arjan Harxhi2, Pellumb Pipero3, Elda Qyra4, Gentian Stroni5, Ermira Muco6, Zhenisa Hysenaj7, Elvana Rista8, Gjok Tosku9, Silvia Bino10. 1. University Hospital Center, Tirana, Albania. edmond_puca@yahoo.com. 2. University Hospital Center, Tirana, Albania. harxhiarjan@yahoo.com. 3. University Hospital Center, Tirana, Albania. piperop@yahoo.com. 4. University Hospital Center, Tirana, Albania. eldaqyra@yahoo.com. 5. University Hospital Center, Tirana, Albania. stronig@gmail.com. 6. University Hospital Center, Tirana, Albania. emuco@yahoo.com. 7. University Hospital Center, Tirana, Albania. zh.hysenaj@gmail.com. 8. Hygeia Hospital, Tirana, Albania. E.Rista@hygeia.al. 9. University Hospital Center, Tirana, Albania. gjtosku@yahoo.com. 10. Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania. sbino@yahoo.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Pancreatitis is a rare complication of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The causative agents of HFRS are hantaviruses, which belong to the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cases of acute pancreatitis (AP) in patients with HFRS at the Service of Infectious Diseases, Tirana, Albania. METHODOLOGY: In this retrospective study, clinical and laboratory data was obtained from 36 patients with confirmed HFRS, between January 2011 and December 2016. The diagnosis had been confirmed by a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM or IgG antibodies to hantavirus. RESULTS: The average patient age was 39.7 ± 14.1 years with a range of 15-59 years. From 36 HFRS patients, four (11.1%) were found to have AP, all were male. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom and an increase in amylase and lipase was observed in all four patients. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) indicated pancreatitis with surrounding edema, necrosis and hemorrhage. In this study, the total mortality was 11.1% (4/36), while mortality in patients with AP was 25% (1/4). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that AP is a serious complication of HFRS, with a poor prognosis. Increased awareness of AP in clinicians and assessment of amylasemia or lipasemia in patients with HFRS should be considered, especially in endemic areas where a rapid diagnosis is crucial for a positive outcome. Copyright (c) 2017 Edmond Puca, Arjan Harxhi, Pellumb Pipero, Elda Qyra, Gentian Stroni, Ermira Muco, Zhenisa Hysenaj, Elvana Rista, Gjok Tosku, Silvia Bino.
INTRODUCTION:Pancreatitis is a rare complication of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). The causative agents of HFRS are hantaviruses, which belong to the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cases of acute pancreatitis (AP) in patients with HFRS at the Service of Infectious Diseases, Tirana, Albania. METHODOLOGY: In this retrospective study, clinical and laboratory data was obtained from 36 patients with confirmed HFRS, between January 2011 and December 2016. The diagnosis had been confirmed by a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgM or IgG antibodies to hantavirus. RESULTS: The average patient age was 39.7 ± 14.1 years with a range of 15-59 years. From 36 HFRS patients, four (11.1%) were found to have AP, all were male. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom and an increase in amylase and lipase was observed in all four patients. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) indicated pancreatitis with surrounding edema, necrosis and hemorrhage. In this study, the total mortality was 11.1% (4/36), while mortality in patients with AP was 25% (1/4). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that AP is a serious complication of HFRS, with a poor prognosis. Increased awareness of AP in clinicians and assessment of amylasemia or lipasemia in patients with HFRS should be considered, especially in endemic areas where a rapid diagnosis is crucial for a positive outcome. Copyright (c) 2017 Edmond Puca, Arjan Harxhi, Pellumb Pipero, Elda Qyra, Gentian Stroni, Ermira Muco, Zhenisa Hysenaj, Elvana Rista, Gjok Tosku, Silvia Bino.