Journal of Medical Council of Iran
Volume 44, Issue 2 (2026)
jmciri 2026, 44(2): 30-41 |
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Dabbagh Moghaddam A, Salehi H, Golalizadeh G, Najafi M J, Moeeni A M. Hantavirus Disease in the 21st Century: From Rodent-Borne Zoonosis to Global Health Concern. jmciri 2026; 44 (2) :30-41
URL: http://jmciri.ir/article-1-3467-en.html
URL: http://jmciri.ir/article-1-3467-en.html
Arasb Dabbagh Moghaddam 
, Hossein Salehi , Ghazal Golalizadeh , Mohammad Javad Najafi , Alireza Moeeni Moeeni
, Hossein Salehi , Ghazal Golalizadeh , Mohammad Javad Najafi , Alireza Moeeni Moeeni
Department of Public Health and Military Nutrition; Member of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Aja University of Medical Sciences. Invited Scholar of Academy of Sciences of I.R. of Iran. Tehran. Iran
Abstract: (14 Views)
Abstract
Background: Hantaviruses are emerging zoonotic pathogens that have gained increasing global attention because of their ability to cause severe and potentially fatal human infections. These enveloped negative-sense RNA viruses are primarily maintained in rodent reservoirs and are transmitted to humans mainly through inhalation of aerosolized particles contaminated with rodent urine, saliva, or feces. Clinically, hantavirus infections are mainly associated with two major syndromes: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS/HPS). HFRS, which is more common in Asia and Europe, is characterized by fever, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhagic manifestations, and acute kidney injury. In contrast, HCPS, predominantly reported in the Americas, presents with severe respiratory distress, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, and high mortality rates.
Methods: In this review, various aspects of hantaviruses were reviewed, including history, virus structure, pathogenesis, global epidemiology, and the status of these infections in the Middle East and Iran. The role of endothelial cell dysfunction, increased vascular permeability, and host inflammatory responses in disease severity was also investigated.
Findings: Diagnostic methods such as ELISA, RT-PCR, and new next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are considered to be the most important tools for diagnosing these infections. Despite recent advances, specific treatment and a globally approved vaccine for hantaviruses are still limited, and patient treatment is mainly based on supportive care, intensive care, and control of respiratory and renal complications.
Conclusion: Environmental changes, increasing human exposure to rodent reservoirs, and reports of person-to-person transmission in certain hantavirus strains have raised growing concerns about the potential future outbreaks and wider global spread. Therefore, strengthening surveillance systems, improving diagnostic capacity, and adopting a One Health approach are essential strategies for the prevention and control of hantavirus-associated diseases.
Background: Hantaviruses are emerging zoonotic pathogens that have gained increasing global attention because of their ability to cause severe and potentially fatal human infections. These enveloped negative-sense RNA viruses are primarily maintained in rodent reservoirs and are transmitted to humans mainly through inhalation of aerosolized particles contaminated with rodent urine, saliva, or feces. Clinically, hantavirus infections are mainly associated with two major syndromes: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS/HPS). HFRS, which is more common in Asia and Europe, is characterized by fever, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhagic manifestations, and acute kidney injury. In contrast, HCPS, predominantly reported in the Americas, presents with severe respiratory distress, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, and high mortality rates.
Methods: In this review, various aspects of hantaviruses were reviewed, including history, virus structure, pathogenesis, global epidemiology, and the status of these infections in the Middle East and Iran. The role of endothelial cell dysfunction, increased vascular permeability, and host inflammatory responses in disease severity was also investigated.
Findings: Diagnostic methods such as ELISA, RT-PCR, and new next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are considered to be the most important tools for diagnosing these infections. Despite recent advances, specific treatment and a globally approved vaccine for hantaviruses are still limited, and patient treatment is mainly based on supportive care, intensive care, and control of respiratory and renal complications.
Conclusion: Environmental changes, increasing human exposure to rodent reservoirs, and reports of person-to-person transmission in certain hantavirus strains have raised growing concerns about the potential future outbreaks and wider global spread. Therefore, strengthening surveillance systems, improving diagnostic capacity, and adopting a One Health approach are essential strategies for the prevention and control of hantavirus-associated diseases.
Type of Study: Review |
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