Imported haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by Dobrava–Belgrade hantavirus in France

Abstract Acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by hantavirus infections is rare but should be suspected in any patient presenting with flu-like symptoms, signs of haemolytic–uraemic syndrome or presence of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies. We report the first case of Dobrava–Belgrade virus in France imported from southeastern Europe. The characteristic macroscopic appearance of the fresh renal biopsy specimen, displaying a haemorrhagic appearance of the medulla, suggested hantavirus infection. AKI caused by hantavirus infections remains a diagnostic challenge, especially outside endemic areas.