Hantavirus Immunology

Two clinical syndromes are associated with hantavirus infection in humans: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Autopsy findings typically reveal a common feature of increased permeability in microvascular beds, suggesting vascular endothelium is a prime target for virus infection. Endothelial cells are susceptible to hantavirus infection; however, virus does not cause cytopathic effects, to explain increased endothelium permeability. Therefore, immune mechanisms were suggested to play a crucial role in hantavirus pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize data on hantavirus-induced immune disturbances and discuss their implication in capillary leakage caused by hantavirus infection.