Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome complicated with aortic dissection: A case report

BACKGROUND Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is caused by hantaviruses presenting with high fever, hemorrhage, and acute kidney injury. Microvascular injury and hemorrhage in mucus were often observed in patients with hantavirus infection. Infection with bacterial and virus related aortic aneurysm or dissection occurs sporadically. Here, we report a previously unreported case of hemorrhagic fever with concurrent aortic dissection. CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old man complained of high fever and generalized body ache, with decreased platelet counts of 10 x 10(9)/L and acute kidney injury. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays test for immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G hantavirus-specific antibodies were both positive. During the convalescent period, he complained sudden onset acute chest pain radiating to the back, and the computed tomography angiography revealed an aortic dissection of the descending aorta extending to iliac artery. He was diagnosed with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and Stanford B aortic dissection. The patient recovered completely after surgery with other support treatments. CONCLUSION Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome complicated with aortic dissection is rare and a difficult clinical condition. Hantavirus infection not only causes microvascular damage presenting with hemorrhage but may be risk factor for acute macrovascular detriment. A causal relationship has yet to be confirmed.