Intensity of platelet β3 integrin in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and its correlation with disease severity

beta(3) Integrin has been identified as a cellular receptor for Hantaan virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). To investigate the relationship between intensity of the platelet membrane beta 3 integrin (CD61) and disease severity, the percentage of CD61-positive platelets and the mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) of platelet CD61 were determined in patients with HFRS by flow cytometry. The intensity levels of CD61 in patients with HFRS were significantly higher than those in the controls and correlated with the clinical phases of the disease. The CD61 intensity at the oliguric phase was inversely correlated with platelet count and serum albumin, and positively correlated with white blood cell count, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase levels. The results suggest that the intensity levels of platelet CD61 were elevated and associated with clinical phases and disease severity in patients with HFRS, and the intensity of platelet beta(3) integrin in patients with HFRS may be indicative of disease severity.