Background: There are emerging eosinophil-related considerations concerning viral infections. The role of eosinophils has poorly been evaluated during Hantavirus infection.
Methods: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of eosinophilia (defined as an eosinophil count above 500 cells/mm3) during haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in a large cohort of patients, and to identify factors associated with eosinophilia.
Results: Among 387 patients hospitalized for HFRS, 98 (25.3%) had eosinophilia. By univariate analysis, eosinophilia was significantly associated with more severe thrombocytopenia, high C-reactive protein level, white blood cell count and neutrophil count and lower nephrotoxic drug intake. As there was a collinearity between white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level, only C-reactive protein level with platelet count and nephrotoxic drug intake were entered in the multivariable analysis. Elevated C-reactive protein concentrations remained independently associated with eosinophilia.
Conclusion: Eosinophilia during HFRS affects one quarter of patients, and supports the role of eosinophils in antiviral immunity against hantavirus infection.
Keywords: Hantavirus; Nephropathia Epidemica; Puumala virus; eosinophilia; haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.