Hantavirus infection mimicking leptospirosis: how long are we going to rely on clinical suspicion?

Niroshana Jathum Dahanayaka; Suneth Buddhika Agampodi; Anoma Kumari Bandaranayaka; Sumudu Priyankara; Joshep M Vinetz

doi:10.3855/jidc.4115

Hantavirus infection mimicking leptospirosis: how long are we going to rely on clinical suspicion?

Authors

Niroshana Jathum Dahanayaka Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Suneth Buddhika Agampodi Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Anoma Kumari Bandaranayaka Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Sumudu Priyankara Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Joshep M Vinetz Faculty of Medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.4115

Keywords:

Hantavirus, Sri Lanka, acute undifferentiated fever, leptospirosis

Abstract

Hantavirus infections and leptospirosis can have similar clinical and epidemiological features. We present here a case study of a young farmer with fever during the post-flood leptospirosis outbreak in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, in 2011. He presented with a classical clinical picture of leptospirosis and was managed and notified as a case of leptospirosis. Retrospective analysis of a stored serum sample confirmed acute hantavirus infection. Diagnosis of newly identified or emerging infectious diseases such as hantavirus infection is challenging due to the lack of diagnostic facilities in developing countries. This case highlights the need for improving diagnostic facilities, educating medical staff, and conducting population-based prospective studies on hantavirus infections in Sri Lanka.

Downloads

Published

2014-08-13

How to Cite

Dahanayaka NJ, Agampodi SB, Bandaranayaka AK, Priyankara S, Vinetz JM (2014) Hantavirus infection mimicking leptospirosis: how long are we going to rely on clinical suspicion?. J Infect Dev Ctries 8:1072–1075. doi: 10.3855/jidc.4115

Download Citation

Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 08: August 2014

Section

Case Reports

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).