Central and peripheral
hormone deficiencies have been documented during and after acute
hantavirus infection.
Thrombocytopenia and coagulation abnormalities are common findings in haemorrhagic
fever with renal syndrome (
HFRS). The associations between coagulation and hormonal abnormalities in
HFRS have not been studied yet. Forty-two patients diagnosed with Puumala virus (PUUV)
infection were examined during the acute phase and on a follow-up visit approximately one month later. Hormonal defects were common during acute PUUV
infection. Overt (clinical)
hypogonadism was identified in 80% of the men and approximately 20% of the patients had overt
hypothyroidism. At the one-month follow-up visit, six patients had central
hormone deficits. Acute peripheral
hormone deficits associated with a more severe
acute kidney injury (AKI), longer
hospital stay and more severe
thrombocytopenia. Half of the patients with
bleeding symptoms had also peripheral hormonal deficiencies. Patients with free
thyroxine levels below the reference range had higher
D-dimer level than patients with normal thyroid function, but no thromboembolic events occurred. Acute phase hormonal abnormalities associate with severe disease and altered haemostasis in PUUV
infection.