Marburg fever is a serious and dangerous disease, which is accompanied by damage to the liver and central nervous system, as well as hemorrhagic syndrome. This is an infectious disease, the outcome of which is often fatal.
It is worth noting that the disease is not widespread - over the past 50 years only isolated cases have been reported. However, many people are interested in additional information about the infection. So what is Marburg hemorrhagic fever? In what ways does the infection spread? What symptoms should I look for? Can modern medicine offer effective therapy? The answers to these questions are interesting to many people.
Marburg fever: a description of the disease and a brief historical background
To begin with, it is worth noting that this is a rather rare disease that is not so well known to the general public. Marburg fever is an infectious, viral disease that is accompanied by severe intoxication, the appearance of skin hemorrhages and internal bleeding. It is worth noting that the ailment often ends fatally.
For the first time, small outbreaks of the disease were recorded in 1967 simultaneously in the cities of Marburg and Frankfurt. In addition, there is evidence of a case of illness in the territory of the former Yugoslavia. It was further proved that the African green monkeys were the reservoir of infection. During the outbreak, experts also noted that pathogenic viruses can be transmitted from person to person.
Marburg fever in Africa has also been reported - cases of the disease were recorded in Kenya and South Africa.
Features of the structure and vital activity of the pathogen
What is Marburg fever? The causes, the spread of infection, the features of the life of pathogenic microorganisms are, of course, important points.
The causative agent of this disease is the RNA genomic virus, which belongs to the genus Filovirus (family Filoviridae). By the way, today four serotological types of this pathogen are known. It is also worth saying that infections that lead to the development of diseases such as Marburg and Ebola have some similar properties. For example, both pathogens are thermostable, sensitive to the effects of chloroform and ethyl alcohol.
The virus that provokes hemorrhagic fever is characterized by polymorphism - virions can have a round, worm-like or spiral shape. The length of the viral particle is 665-1200 nm, and the diameter is 70-80 nm.
There is evidence that these pathogens can spread through exoparasites. In the body of mosquitoes belonging to the species Anopheles Maculipennis, viral particles remain active for eight days, and in the cells of the tick Ixodes ricinus - up to 15 days.
How is the infection transmitted?
Despite the fact that the first cases of disease among people were due to contact with green monkeys, the features of the circulation of infection between representatives of this group of animals have not yet been fully studied.
Marburg hemorrhagic fever is a highly contagious disease, in most cases the infected person is the source of infection. The virus enters the body through mucous membranes (e.g., oral tissue, conjunctiva of the eyes) and damaged skin tissue. Random contacts with a sick patient, kisses, microparticles of saliva on the mucous membrane of the eyes are the main transmission routes of the pathogen.
It is worth noting that the disease can also spread sexually, since viral particles are present in seminal fluid. Contact-household transmission is also possible, since the pathogen is contained in the patient's feces, blood, saliva, and other internal fluids.
Man has been a reservoir of infection for many months. Cases of infection from people are known after 2-3 months after the symptoms disappear completely. That is why it is so important to isolate a sick patient and adhere to safety rules.
Pathogenesis of the disease
As already mentioned, Marburg fever is a viral disease, and the infection enters the body through mucous and skin tissues.
The infection spreads rapidly throughout the body. The virus can multiply in almost any tissue - its traces are found in the spleen, liver, bone marrow, lungs, testicles of men. By the way, viral particles are present in the blood and sperm for a long time - sometimes they are detected 2-3 months after the illness.
Already in the initial stages, one can observe rapid cell death and the formation of small foci of necrosis in various organs. Pronounced inflammatory reactions in this case are absent.
The situation is exacerbated because the infection contributes to the occurrence of various microcirculation disorders. A change in the rheological properties of blood is also observed. That is why the disease is accompanied by spasm and thrombosis of small vessels, increased permeability of arterial and venous walls.
The lack of an adequate response from the immune system is another factor that complicates the disease. Marburg fever often ends in shock, swelling of the brain or lungs, which in turn leads to the death of the patient.
Symptoms of the initial stage
What disorders are associated with Marburg fever? Symptoms of the disease are diverse. The incubation period lasts up to 12 days.
The patient's condition, as a rule, worsens suddenly. Body temperature rises sharply. The patient complains of chills, body aches, weakness. It’s hard for a person to breathe. There is a sore throat and an annoying dry cough. When examining the oral cavity, you can notice the appearance of reddish rashes on the tongue and palate. The patient also notes pain in the jaw while chewing or talking.
The initial symptoms of the disease include severe migraines, chest pain, muscle weakness. Often the virus causes conjunctivitis, which is accompanied by scanty secretions, severe itching, and redness of the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Features of the clinical picture in the first week
It is worth noting that each stage of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of new symptoms. If during the first few days, patients complain only of general weakness and symptoms of intoxication, then on the 4th-5th day the symptoms become more characteristic.
Patients complain of sharp, cutting abdominal pain. There are other disorders of the digestive tract, including severe nausea and vomiting, loose stools. Sometimes in the vomit you can notice impurities, even blood clots.
Around the same period, hemorrhagic syndrome also develops - patients complain of blood from the nose. More massive gastrointestinal and uterine bleeding are possible.
The virus continues to spread throughout the body, which affects the functioning of the nervous system - patients often lose consciousness. Convulsive seizures are also possible. Other symptoms include skin rashes that are localized mainly in the neck, face, and upper limbs.
The second week of the disease and possible complications
The second week is considered the most dangerous, since it is during this period that complications incompatible with life develop.
It becomes very difficult for patients to breathe. The body is very dehydrated. Severe toxicosis can lead to the development of shock conditions. Infection affects the functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems, which leads to the appearance of various disorders, including psychosis.
The list of possible symptoms include heart rhythm disturbances, pulmonary edema, acute renal failure. Perhaps the development of myocardial infarction.
How is the healing process going?
Even if the patient managed to endure the most difficult period of the disease, it is worthwhile to understand that the healing process will be long. As a rule, the human body recovers within 3-4 weeks. At this time, many patients complain of constant weakness, nausea and loss of appetite. That is why they are recommended rest and good nutrition - in the menu you need to enter high-calorie, but easily digestible products.
Sometimes you can observe hair loss throughout the patient’s body. It is worth noting that fever often flows into pneumonia, encephalitis and other inflammatory diseases.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis in this case is difficult, since there are no characteristic symptoms. Moreover, the disease must be differentiated from other similar infections, including the Ebola virus.
An important step is to take an anamnesis, because it is important to know not only about the symptoms, but also about the place, the conditions in which the patient could catch the infection. Of course, blood tests are done. The diagnostic process includes various serological and virological studies, including PCR, pH, ELISA and isolation of the virus culture. Such procedures can determine the nature of the pathogen and take appropriate measures.
In the future, instrumental studies are carried out, including electrocardiography and ultrasound of internal organs - the only way to assess the degree of damage to the body and the presence of complications.
How is fever treated?
What to do if a patient is diagnosed with Marburg fever? Unfortunately, the treatment is only symptomatic. Therapy is aimed at eliminating dehydration, combating infectious toxic shock, hemorrhagic syndrome and their consequences.
A platelet mass is administered intravenously to patients, rehydration and detoxification therapy are performed. In some cases, doctors decide to introduce interferons into the treatment regimen. Sometimes patients are prescribed plasmapheresis. Patients are also given plasma convalescents.
It should be noted that all infected should be urgently hospitalized and placed in special boxes of the infectious ward. In the process of treatment, it is very important to adhere to safety rules, more closely monitor disinfection and sterilization. Self-medication or therapy at home is not permissible.
Possible complications
Marburg fever is a disease that should never be ignored. Even with adequate treatment, the risk of developing certain complications is high.
Infection affects the liver and often ends in severe forms of hepatitis. Other complications include pneumonia, transverse myelitis, myocarditis, orchitis with further testicular atrophy. Fever negatively affects the functioning of the nervous system - some patients suffer from various psychoses. The most serious consequences include swelling of the brain and lungs, shock conditions that can result in the death of the patient.
Predictions for Patients
Marburg fever is an extremely dangerous disease. According to various sources, the mortality rate among patients with this diagnosis varies widely - 25-70%.
Even if it is a favorable outcome, it is worthwhile to understand that recovery is slow. Quite often, the ailment is accompanied by a mass of complications that significantly worsen a person’s standard of living.
Marburg fever: prevention
Unfortunately, there are no special tools that can completely protect against infection. To date, only a drug containing specific serum immunoglobulin has been developed. This medicine is sometimes used for immunoprophylaxis, although its effectiveness is not 100 percent.
All patients with a similar infection must be hospitalized. Patient care is carried out only by specially trained staff. It is important to use protective equipment and appropriate equipment. It should be understood that the virus spreads quickly and the human immune system is practically unable to cope with the infection on its own - it is extremely important to prevent the development of an epidemic.