Molecular identification of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome viruses from tick and bitten patient in Southeast China

Abstract

Background: Severe fever and thrombocytopenia bunyavirus (SFTSV) infection causes severe fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome with high mortality. It is extremely rare that a transmitting tick can be directly captured in bite wounds, and that SFTSV can be isolated from both the captured tick and patient's serum to establish a solid pathogen diagnosis. Case presentation: We report a case infected with severe fever and thrombocytopenia bunyavirus. The 69year-old male patient presented with fever and tenderness on two lymph nodes in the right groin. A visible tick bite mark appeared on right upper quadrant of the patient's abdomen, and a live tick was captured in the bite wound upon physical examination. The virus was detected in both the blood of the patient and in the tick that stayed in the bite wound for 7 days. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the SFTSV isolated from the tick and the patient's serum sample belonged to type B, in which the L/S segment of these two isolates shared 100% homology, while the M segment had 99.9% homology. The bitten patient was given various supportive care, but eventually died of multiple organ failure. Conclusion: The present case provides strong evidence of SFTSV transmission from H. longicornis to humans, and suggests that direct cross-species transmission can occur without additional intermediate hosts.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus from ticks: a molecular epidemiological study of a patient in the Republic of Korea

“…The presented results strongly support the link between SFTSV-infected ticks and the patient with SFTS with a history of tick bites. Some studies have identified SFTS pathogens in engorged ticks from patients with SFTS in the ROK and China (Wang et al 2014 ; Kim et al 2018 ; Tong et al 2020 ). However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case to provide molecular evidence with a high match (99.6–100%) between SFTSV from a patient and questing ticks in the same living environment.…”

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus trends and hotspots in clinical research: A bibliometric analysis of global research

“…SFTSV can evolve rapidly through genetic mutations and has already become a major threat to public health ( 3 ). There is no specific treatment for SFTSV, and the only method to prevent SFTSV infection and transmission is to avoid tick bites ( 10 ). Moreover, there is currently no vaccine for SFTSV.…”