doi:10.5152/kd.2010.03

Abstract
Objective: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease. It is mostly encountered in the northeastern part of Turkey, mainly in Tokat, Sivas, Yozgat, Çorum and Erzurum provinces.
Methods: In this study, clinical, laboratory and epidemiological features of 85 CCHF cases diagnosed between May 2008-September 2009 in Kastamonu were evaluated retrospectively.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 51±16 years. The male to female ratio was 0.8. Regarding possible modes of transmission, 80% of the cases had a history of tick bite, 90.5% worked in animal husbandry or farms. The time of onset of disease was 3.2±1.9 days after the tick-bite. Weakness (96.4%) and high fever (94.1%) were the most common symptoms, while in the physical examination rash (17.6%), conjunctival injection and facial redness (9.4%) and hyperemic pharynx (7%) were observed. Laboratory results yielded thrombocytopenia in 97.6%, leukopenia in 88.2%, elevated transaminase levels in 70.5% and anemia in 35.2% of the patients. Thirty eight cases whose clinical status deteriorated rapidly and with platelet counts of <50,000/mm3 were referred to a tertiary referral center. We  administered ribavirin to 43 of 47 cases we followed. The mean duration of  hospital stay of them was 7.4±2.1 days and all were cured at the time of their discharge. Only 3 (3.5%) mortalities were recorded among the 85 cases.
Conclusions: In conclusion, since CCHF is a common infection in our country, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with symptoms of generalized pain, high fever, weakness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and haemorrhage. Early use of ribavirin against CCHF is promising for lowering the case fatality rate. Klimik Dergisi 2010; 23(1): 6-9.
Key Words: Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, epidemiology, clinical features, laboratory features.