Evaluation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever suspected cases admitted to a secondary care hospital in Kastamonu, Turkey between 2014-2017

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an endemic zoonosis in Kastamonu, Turkey. Clinical and laboratory findings may not be specific in the early phase of the disease, hence bringing a challenge to the clinician. Objective: We aimed to distinguish CCHF cases among all suspected cases by comparing them with non-CCHF cases with respect to characteristics during admission. Methods: Cases with a presumptive diagnosis of CCHF at a secondary care hospital in Kastamonu in between 2014-2017 were evaluated, retrospectively. CCHF and non-CCHF cases were compared with respect to their clinical, laboratory and epidemiological characteristics during admission. Results: Among 76 suspected patients, CCHF was found in 46.1% of them. Four-year fatality rate was 9.6% in CCHF cases. The frequency of headache, nausea/vomiting, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia less than 50x10 9/L, AST-ALT and LDH elevation, tick bites and contact with blood or body fluids of animals in CCHF cases were significantly higher than in non-CCHF cases (p<0.05). Conclusion: Headache and nausea/vomiting accompanied with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia less than 50x10 9/L, AST-ALT and LDH elevations raise the possibility of CCHF in endemic regions especially when there is a history of tick bite and contact with blood or body fluids of animals. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.16 Cite as: Gozdas HT. Evaluation of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever suspected cases admitted to a secondary care hospital in Kastamonu, Turkey between 2014-2017. Afri Health Sci. 2019;19(1). 1433-1440. https://dx.doi. org/10.4314/ahs.v19i1.1