Hepatitis in Patients with Crimean - Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral disease and causing approximately 30% fatality rate. Recent studies have been reported that hepatitis in CCHF patients is with high mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis in the CCHF cases and also detect the mortality rate among patients with hepatitis. The present study was conducted in patients with CCHF who were hospitalized in Boo-Ali hospital in Zahedan between Oct 2009 to Feb 2012. Liver function tests including aminotransferase enzymes and prothrombin time and mortality rate were evaluated. Among 53 patients with CCHF, hepatitis was seen in 19 patients (45%). Nine patients died (21%). All dead patients had a serum aminotransaminase level ≥10 times the upper normal limit. Our study showed that hepatitis is prevalent in CCHF patients and a serum aminotransaminase level ≥5 times the upper normal limit (UNL) is a risk factor for severe disease and high mortality.