title: An investigation of pulmonary findings of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) generally affects many organs. In this study a retrospective evaluation of the pulmonary findings of CCHF patients was made.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of patients were retrospectively analysed. For each patient an evaluation was made of age, sex, occupation, place of residence, contact with ticks, smoking history, and pulmonary radiological and laboratory findings. A confirmed diagnosis of CCHF was made on determination by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 128 patients, 48.4% were female. Symptoms of coughing were determined in 18% of patients, sputum in 4.7%, chest pain in 3.9%, dyspnoea in 3.1%, and haemoptysis in 0.8%. The mortality rate was 7%. In terms of sex, place of residence, contact with ticks, smoking, findings of the respiratory system, and physical examination findings, no statistically significant difference was seen between the survivor and nonsurvivor groups (P > 0.05). The white blood cell count values of the survivors were determined to be significantly lower compared to those of the nonsurvivors and the alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, and C-reactive protein values of the nonsurvivors were significantly higher compared to those of the survivors (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CCHF can be fatal for the respiratory system. An early diagnosis of CCHF and referral to a specialised centre is therefore important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Diseases, Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Turkey. fkguldenbilgin@mynet.com
authors.forename: Gülden
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bilgin
authors.forename: Ciğdem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ataman Hatipoglu
authors.forename: Serife
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Altun
authors.forename: Cemal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kinikli
authors.forename: Ali Pekcan
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Demiröz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D006479:Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D064927:Tick Bites