Efficacy of high-dose methylprednisolone in patients with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and severe thrombocytopenia

• Published in: Tropical doctor 2013-04, Vol.43 (2), p.49-53
• Main Authors: Sharifi-Mood, Batool, Alavi-Naini, Roya, Metanat, Maliheh, Mohammadi, Mehdi, Shakeri, Asad, Amjadi, Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adult; Aged; Antiviral Agents - administration & dosage; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glucocorticoids - administration & dosage; Hemorrhagic Fever, Crimean - drug therapy; Humans; Male; Methylprednisolone - administration & dosage; Middle Aged; Ribavirin - administration & dosage; Thrombocytopenia - drug therapy; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0049-4755; 1758-1133
• DOI: 10.1177/0049475513486642

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease that is now endemic in south eastern Iran. The most important factor associated with mortality is a platelet count of less than 50,000/mL. The purpose of this study is to compare treated cases with severe thrombocytopenia using ribavirin with high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) with patients receiving ribavirin without HDMP. A clinical trial was conducted for confirmed patients with CCHF and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 50,000/mL) admitted to Boo-Ali Hospital in Zahedan between January 2010 and October 2011. The intervention group was given oral ribavirin, supportive managements and HDMP and the controls were treated with ribavirin and supportive management. Following HDMP therapy in hospitalized patients with severe thrombocytopenia, the platelet count increased within 36 h and the leukocyte count within 48 h of the beginning of treatment. Fewer in the intervention group required a transfusion of blood products than in the controls (P