Hantavirus infection in Iranian patients suspected to viral hemorrhagic fever

Background: Hantaviruses are a group of emerging pathogens causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in human. This study was conducted to investigate Hantavirus infection among Iranian viral hemorrhagic fever suspected patients. Methods: From April 2014 to June 2016, 113 cases from 25 different provinces of Iran were analyzed for Hantavirus infection by IgM/IgG ELISA and pan-Hantavirus RT-PCR tests. Results: Although, viral genome was detected in none of the subjects, IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 19 and 4 cases, respectively. Differentiation of the anti-Hantavirus antibodies according to virus species by EUROLINE Anti-Hantavirus Profile Kit revealed three Puumala virus IgM positive, one Hantaan virus IgM positive, one Hantaan virus IgM borderline, and two Puumala virus IgG borderline cases. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the circulation of Hantaviruses in Iran and calls for further investigations of these life-threatening viruses in the country.