Definition
Marburg fever is a serious hemorrhagic disease of viral origin, widespread especially in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa.
The Marburg virus belongs to the Filoviridae family and is very similar to the one that causes Ebola. Inter-human transmission occurs through direct contact with blood, secretions and biological fluids (vomiting, saliva, mucus and sperm) of a person suffering from the virus, or indirectly through the handling of contaminated objects. The infection can also occur through sexual intercourse and punctures with syringes and infected needles. The sick are contagious during the late stages of the disease, when the hemorrhagic manifestations become evident. The Marburg virus can also be transmitted to humans through exposure to infected animals, such as bats or primates.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Alopecia
- Anorexia
- Arrhythmia
- Asthenia
- Testicular atrophy
- Increase in the ESR
- Chills
- Cachexia
- Coma
- Conjunctivitis
- Convulsions
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Temporal and spatial disorientation
- Dyspnoea
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Articolar pains
- Muscle pains
- Bruising
- Hematemesis
- Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- Hemoptysis
- Hepatomegaly
- Rash
- Ease of bleeding and bruising
- Pharyngitis
- Temperature
- Feces picee
- Fotofobia
- Hypotension
- Hypovolemia
- Jaundice
- Lethargy
- Leukopenia
- Swollen lymph nodes
- macules
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Mass or swelling in the testicle
- Melena
- Nausea
- Eyes reddened
- papules
- Weight loss
- petechiae
- thrombocytopenia
- Proteinuria
- Nosebleeds
- Blood in the stool
- Blood in the urine
- Vaginal bleeding
- Bleeding gums
- Drowsiness
- splenomegaly
- Confusional state
- He retched
Further indications
Marburg haemorrhagic fever has an incubation period of about 9 days (with variability between 3 and 21 days). The disease begins suddenly with high fever (39-40 ° C), headache, myalgia, arthralgia, chest pain, pharyngitis and malaise, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. After about 5 days, a macular-papular skin rash may appear, located mainly on the trunk. Subsequently, the disease can take a hemorrhagic course that is manifested by petechiae, bloody vomiting, epistaxis, bleeding from the gums, the vagina and the rectum. In the most serious forms, a dramatic worsening of the patient's condition follows and hepatosplenomegaly, orchitis, pancreatitis, myocarditis and central nervous system involvement (disorientation, psychotic disorders, convulsions and coma) are observed.
Marburg hemorrhagic fever has a high lethality rate. Death occurs due to cardiovascular shock due to multiple bleeding and multi-organ failure (hepatic, renal, etc.).
Marburg virus infection is suspected in patients with haemorrhagic diathesis, fever and a history of travel to endemic areas or exposure to animals from these areas. The evaluation includes blood counts, routine blood tests, liver function tests and urinalysis. To identify the viral genome or antigens, cell cultures, serological tests with the ELISA test (enzyme-linked immunoassay) and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) are useful.
The diagnosis is confirmed by the identification of the characteristic virions by electron microscopy of a sample of infected tissue (in particular: liver) or blood.
Treatment is symptomatic and involves the control of blood volume and electrolyte balance. To contain the epidemic spread, strict hospital isolation is required.
Currently, a vaccine is not available. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt behaviors that avoid contagion. In particular, in regions of Africa that are endemic, it is recommended to avoid exposure to sick people, bats or monkeys.
