Corticosteroids combined with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration for treatment of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused by Puumala virus infection

Abstract

Reported here are two cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome caused by Puumala virus infection, which rapidly resolved after initiation of corticosteroid treatment combined with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration. These cases emphasize the role of the inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. © Springer-Verlag 2006.