Elevated sICAM-1 levels in patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by Hantaan virus

Increased vascular permeability and vascular leakage are characteristic pathological changes in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Vascular endothelial cells are the main targets of Hantaan virus, the etiological agent of the severe form of HFRS. Hantaan virus can induce extensive damage of small blood vessels and capillaries. In vitro infection of human umbilical vein endothelial cells by Hantaan virus can induce the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). The involvement of this molecule is implied in human HFRS. In the present study, serum-soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) levels were determined and their relationships with the clinical course and disease severity were investigated in 112 HFRS patients and 30 healthy controls. The results showed that the serum levels of sICAM-1 in HFRS patients at fever, hypotensive, oliguric, and polyuric phases were significantly higher than those in controls (p < 0.001). However, no significant differences between the serum concentrations of sICAM-1 in the milder and more severe groups of patients were observed (p > 0.05). It is suggested that sICAM-1 was involved in the progression of HFRS. Time-dependent determinations of sICAM-1 levels may be indicators for the progression of disease, and elevated levels of sICAM-1 were not suggested to be correlated to disease severity.