Cutaneous Findings of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever: A Study of 269 Cases

Abstract

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral zoonotic disease. We aimed here in this study to investigate the cutaneous manifestations of CCHF and reveal their associations with fatality. Two hundred and sixty-nine patients diagnosed with CCHF were recorded. Skin findings were seen in 170 (63.1%) patients. A facial rash was most common cutaneous finding (82 (30.4%)). In the severe cases, haemorrhagic cutaneous manifestations (petechiae and ecchymoses) were recognised. A statistically significant correlation was obtained between the cutaneous manifestations and fatality, and it was determined that there was a strong positive correlation between the fatality and ecchymosis (r=567, p<0.001). In addition, a logistic regression analysis was performed, and death occurred 4.69 times more in those with skin signs than in those without. We hypothesize that CCHF patients with ecchymosis are at the highest risk, and that the cutaneous findings can contribute the prognosis of CCHF.