Argentine hemorrhagic feverA96.0
Synonym(s)
AHF; JHF; South American hemorrhagic fever
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Severe systemic infectious disease caused by the Junin virus, which is one of the causes of viral haemorrhagic fever
PathogenThis section has been translated automatically.
Junin virus, family Arenaviridae, Tacaribe subgroup. The virus was first isolated in 1958.
Occurrence/EpidemiologyThis section has been translated automatically.
- First described in 1955 in the Buenos Aires region, then spread throughout central Argentina with epidemic outbreaks.
- About 5 million people live in endemic areas.
- Case Fatality Rate: 10-30%.
EtiopathogenesisThis section has been translated automatically.
- Reservoirs are wild mice and mouse species that become chronically ill without symptoms and harbour and excrete the pathogen in the body for life.
- Contamination of the human environment by saliva, urine and blood of infected animals.
- Infection from person to person is possible.
Clinical featuresThis section has been translated automatically.
- Incubation period of 7-20 days.
- Gradual onset of flu-like symptoms.
- Integument: conjunctival hyperemia, periorbital oedema, erythema of skin and mucous membranes on face, neck, chest, palate, pharynx, tendency to gum and petechial hemorrhages.
- Extracutaneous manifestations: disturbances of muscle tone and deep reflexes, subtle tremor of the hands and tongue, relative bradycardia and hypertension.
LaboratoryThis section has been translated automatically.
Leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, elevated hematocrit, protein and cylindruria.
DiagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.
- Virus isolation in blood, urine and from separated lymphomononuclear cells in cell cultures (antigen detection by immunofluorescence microscopy)
- antibody detection (ELISA).
Differential diagnosisThis section has been translated automatically.
other haemorrhagic fevers; influenza (at the beginning of the disease); malaria.
TherapyThis section has been translated automatically.
- Ribavirin (Virazoles): initially once/day 30 mg/kg bw for 6 days, then once/day 16 mg/kg bw for 4 days, then once/day 8 mg/kg bw i.v. for 2 days.
Notice! In Germany, Virazole is only approved for inhalation application, but internationally also for i.v. application. There is an exceptional indication for i.v. application!
- Immunoplasma (complication: benign, late central nervous symptoms as a result of an immunological process).
ProphylaxisThis section has been translated automatically.
- Rodent control. Observance of general hygiene in health care.
- Pre-exposure to ribavirin.
- Inactivated vaccine shows good efficacy.
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
Remember! Suspected illness, sickness and death must be reported by the doctor to the public health department in accordance with § 6. According to § 7, direct and indirect virus detection must be reported.