NEPHROPATHIA-EPIDEMICA IN FINLAND - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 126 CASES

A total of 126 (99 males, 27 females) serologically confirmed hospital -treated adult cases of nephropathia epidemica (NE) were studied. The initial diagnosis suggested by the referring physician was correct in only 28%. Some rare clinical manifestations of NE were observed; acute myopericarditis in 3 patients and encephalitis in 1. Pulmonary involv ement due to vascular congestion was observed in 16% and liver involve ment in 34% of the patients. Thrombocytopenia was present in 75%, leuk ocytosis in 50% and anemia in 50%. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR ) was 2-108 (mean 38) mm/h and C-reactive protein (CRP) 0-126 (mean 52 ) mg/l. Proteinuria was observed in 94%, hematuria in 58% and pyuria i n 28%. Electrolyte abnormalities (hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalce mia, hyperphosphatemia) were all common but rarely serious. Serum lipi d changes caused by the acute infection and renal failure included ver y low total and HDL-cholesterol as well as high triglyceride levels. R enal function was transiently impaired in 94% of the patients and 7 ne eded transient dialysis therapy. All recovered.