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Scientific Reports May 2024Hard ticks are known vectors of various pathogens, including the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia spp.,...
Hard ticks are known vectors of various pathogens, including the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus, Rickettsia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Ehrlichia spp. This study aims to investigate the distribution and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in southwestern Korea from 2019 to 2022. A total of 13,280 ticks were collected during the study period, with H. longicornis accounting for 86.1% of the collected ticks. H. flava, I. nipponensis and A. testudinarium comprised 9.4%, 3.6%, and 0.8% of the ticks, respectively. Among 983 pools tested, Rickettsia spp. (216 pools, 1.6% MIR) were the most prevalent pathogens across all tick species, with R. japonica and R. monacensis frequently detected in I. nipponensis and Haemaphysalis spp., respectively. Borrelia spp. (28 pools, 0.2% MIR) were predominantly detected in I. nipponensis (27 pools, 13.8% MIR, P < 0.001). Co-infections, mainly involving Rickettsia monacensis and Borrelia afzelii, were detected in I. nipponensis. Notably, this study identified R. monacensis for the first time in A. testudinarium in South Korea. These findings offer valuable insights into the tick population and associated pathogens in the region, underscoring the importance of tick-borne disease surveillance and prevention measures.
Topics: Animals; Republic of Korea; Rickettsia; Ticks; Tick-Borne Diseases; Prevalence; Borrelia; Anaplasma phagocytophilum; Ehrlichia; Coxiella burnetii; Phlebovirus
PubMed: 38811622
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61126-y -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024The mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) from the family is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes the re-emerging zoonotic disease Rift Valley fever (RVF)....
HSP90 is part of a protein complex with the L polymerase of Rift Valley fever phlebovirus and prevents its degradation by the proteasome during the viral genome replication/transcription stage.
The mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) from the family is a single-stranded RNA virus that causes the re-emerging zoonotic disease Rift Valley fever (RVF). Classified as a Category A agent by the NIH, RVFV infection can cause debilitating disease or death in humans and lead to devastating economic impacts by causing abortion storms in pregnant cattle. In a previous study, we showed that the host chaperone protein HSP90 is an RVFV-associated host factor that plays a critical role post viral entry, during the active phase of viral genome replication/transcription. In this study, we have elucidated the molecular mechanisms behind the regulatory effect of HSP90 during infection with RVFV. Our results demonstrate that during the early infection phase, host HSP90 associates with the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L protein) and prevents its degradation through the proteasome, resulting in increased viral replication.
Topics: Virus Replication; HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins; Rift Valley fever virus; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Animals; Proteolysis; Genome, Viral; Humans; RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Viral Proteins; Transcription, Genetic; Rift Valley Fever; Cell Line
PubMed: 38800833
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1331755 -
Viruses Apr 2024This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the cycle threshold (Ct) values of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus small (S) and middle (M)...
Correlation between the Cycle Threshold Values in Detection of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Using PowerChek SFTSV Real-Time PCR Kit and Viral Load: Prognostic Implications.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to analyze the correlation between the cycle threshold (Ct) values of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus small (S) and middle (M) segments and the SFTS viral load, aiming to estimate the initial viral load and predict prognosis in the early clinical course.
METHOD
A retrospective study was conducted with confirmed SFTS patients at Jeju National University Hospital (2016-2022). Patients were categorized into non-fatal and fatal groups.
RESULTS
This study included 49 patients with confirmed SFTS (non-fatal group, = 42; fatal group, = 7). A significant negative correlation (-0.783) was observed between the log SFTS viral load and Ct values ( < 0.001). This negative correlation was notably stronger in the fatal group (correlation coefficient -0.940) than in the non-fatal group (correlation coefficient -0.345).
CONCLUSION
In this study, we established a correlation between SFTS viral load and Ct values for estimating the initial viral load and early predicting prognosis. These results are expected to offer valuable insights for SFTS patient treatment and prognosis prediction.
Topics: Humans; Viral Load; Phlebovirus; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Male; Female; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Middle Aged; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Aged, 80 and over; Adult; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 38793582
DOI: 10.3390/v16050700 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Jun 2024We isolated severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) from farmed minks in China, providing evidence of natural SFTSV infection in farmed minks. Our...
We isolated severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) from farmed minks in China, providing evidence of natural SFTSV infection in farmed minks. Our findings support the potential role of farmed minks in maintaining SFTSV and are helpful for the development of public health interventions to reduce human infection.
Topics: Phlebovirus; China; Disease Outbreaks; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Animals; Mink; Phylogeny; Humans; Farms
PubMed: 38781980
DOI: 10.3201/eid3006.240283 -
Virology Journal May 2024Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease. SFTS virus (SFTSV) is transmitted by tick bites and contact with the blood or body...
BACKGROUND
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease. SFTS virus (SFTSV) is transmitted by tick bites and contact with the blood or body fluids of SFTS patients. Animal-to-human transmission of SFTS has been reported in Japan, but not in China. In this study, the possible transmission route of two patients who fed and cared for farm-raised fur animals in a mink farm was explored.
METHOD
An epidemiological investigation and a genetic analysis of patients, animals and working environment were carried out.
RESULTS
It was found that two patients had not been bitten by ticks and had no contact with patients infected with SFTS virus, but both of them had skinned the dying animals. 54.55% (12/22) of the farm workers were positive for SFTS virus antibody. By analyzing the large, medium and small segments sequences, the viral sequences from the two patients, animals and environments showed 99.9% homology.
CONCLUSION
It is suspected that the two patients may be directly infected by farm-raised animals, and that the virus may have been transmitted by aerosols when skinning dying animals. Transmission by direct blood contacts or animal bites cannot be ignored.
Topics: Animals; Phlebovirus; China; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Humans; Male; Antibodies, Viral; Phylogeny; Female; Middle Aged; Mink; Farms; Adult; Farmers; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 38760812
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02387-x -
BMC Veterinary Research May 2024Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a fatal zoonosis caused by ticks in East Asia. As SFTS virus (SFTSV) is maintained between wildlife and ticks,...
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a fatal zoonosis caused by ticks in East Asia. As SFTS virus (SFTSV) is maintained between wildlife and ticks, seroepidemiological studies in wildlife are important to understand the behavior of SFTSV in the environment. Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, is an SFTS-endemic area, and approximately 100 feral horses, called Misaki horses (Equus caballus), inhabit Cape Toi in Miyazaki Prefecture. While these animals are managed in a wild-like manner, their ages are ascertainable due to individual identification. In the present study, we conducted a seroepidemiological survey of SFTSV in Misaki horses between 2015 and 2023. This study aimed to understand SFTSV infection in horses and its transmission to wildlife. A total of 707 samples from 180 feral horses were used to determine the seroprevalence of SFTSV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Neutralization testing was performed on 118 samples. In addition, SFTS viral RNA was detected in ticks from Cape Toi and feral horses. The overall seroprevalence between 2015 and 2023 was 78.5% (555/707). The lowest seroprevalence was 55% (44/80) in 2016 and the highest was 92% (76/83) in 2018. Seroprevalence was significantly affected by age, with 11% (8/71) in those less than one year of age and 96.7% (435/450) in those four years of age and older (p < 0.0001). The concordance between ELISA and neutralization test results was 88.9% (105/118). SFTS viral RNA was not detected in ticks (n = 516) or feral horses. This study demonstrated that horses can be infected with SFTSV and that age is a significant factor in seroprevalence in wildlife. This study provides insights into SFTSV infection not only in horses but also in wildlife in SFTS-endemic areas.
Topics: Animals; Horses; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Japan; Horse Diseases; Phlebovirus; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Female; Male; Antibodies, Viral; Ticks; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Animals, Wild
PubMed: 38734647
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04042-7 -
BMC Neurology May 2024Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a natural focal disease transmitted mainly by tick bites, and the causative agent is SFTS virus (SFTSV). SFTS can... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a natural focal disease transmitted mainly by tick bites, and the causative agent is SFTS virus (SFTSV). SFTS can rapidly progress to severe disease, with multiple-organ failure (MOF) manifestations such as shock, respiratory failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and death, but cases of SFTS patients with central nervous system (CNS) symptoms onset and marked persistent involuntary shaking of the perioral area and limbs have rarely been reported.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 69-year-old woman with fever and persistent involuntary shaking of the perioral area and limbs was diagnosed with SFTS with CNS symptom onset after metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood identified SFTSV. The patient developed a cytokine storm and MOF during the course of the disease, and after aggressive antiviral, glucocorticoid, and gamma globulin treatments, her clinical symptoms improved, her laboratory indices returned to normal, and she had a good prognosis.
CONCLUSION
This case gives us great insight that when patients with CNS symptoms similar to those of viral encephalitis combined with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia are encountered in the clinic, it is necessary to consider the possibility of SFTS involving the CNS. Testing for SFTSV nucleic acid in CSF and blood (mNGS or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) should be carried out, especially in critically ill patients, and treatment should be given accordingly.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Phlebovirus; Multiple Organ Failure
PubMed: 38730325
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03664-6 -
BMC Infectious Diseases May 2024Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne viral disease caused by the SFTS virus (Dabie bandavirus), which has become a substantial...
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne viral disease caused by the SFTS virus (Dabie bandavirus), which has become a substantial risk to public health. No specific treatment is available now, that calls for an effective vaccine. Given this, we aimed to develop a multi-epitope DNA vaccine through the help of bioinformatics. The final DNA vaccine was inserted into a special plasmid vector pVAX1, consisting of CD8 T cell epitopes, CD4 T cell epitopes and B cell epitopes (six epitopes each) screened from four genome-encoded proteins--nuclear protein (NP), glycoprotein (GP), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), as well as nonstructural protein (NSs). To ascertain if the predicted structure would be stable and successful in preventing infection, an immunological simulation was run on it. In conclusion, we designed a multi-epitope DNA vaccine that is expected to be effective against Dabie bandavirus, but in vivo trials are needed to verify this claim.
Topics: Vaccines, DNA; Phlebovirus; Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Viral Vaccines; Humans; Computer-Aided Design; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte; Animals; Computational Biology
PubMed: 38714948
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09361-6 -
Virology Journal May 2024Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease of increasing intensity among humans in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In Uganda, cases reported prior to 2016...
BACKGROUND
Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic viral disease of increasing intensity among humans in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In Uganda, cases reported prior to 2016 were mild or not fully documented. We report in this paper on the severe morbidity and hospital-based mortality of human cases in Uganda.
METHODS
Between November 2017 and March 2020 human cases reported to the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ethical and regulatory approvals were obtained to enrol survivors into a one-year follow-up study. Data were collected on socio-demographics, medical history, laboratory tests, potential risk factors, and analysed using Stata software.
RESULTS
Overall, 40 cases were confirmed with acute RVF during this period. Cases were not geographically clustered and nearly all were male (39/40; 98%), median age 32 (range 11-63). The median definitive diagnosis time was 7 days and a delay of three days between presumptive and definitive diagnosis. Most patients (31/40; 78%) presented with fever and bleeding at case detection. Twenty-eight (70%) cases were hospitalised, out of whom 18 (64%) died. Mortality was highest among admissions in regional referral (11/16; 69%) and district (4/5; 80%) hospitals, hospitalized patients with bleeding at case detection (17/27; 63%), and patients older than 44 years (9/9; 100%). Survivors mostly manifested a mild gastro-intestinal syndrome with nausea (83%), anorexia (75%), vomiting (75%), abdominal pain (50%), and diarrhoea (42%), and prolonged symptoms of severe disease including jaundice (67%), visual difficulties (67%), epistaxis (50%), haemoptysis (42%), and dysentery (25%). Symptom duration varied between two to 120 days.
CONCLUSION
RVF is associated with high hospital-based mortality, severe and prolonged morbidity among humans that present to the health care system and are confirmed by PCR. One-health composite interventions should be developed to improve environmental and livestock surveillance, prevent infections, promptly detect outbreaks, and improve patient outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Uganda; Rift Valley Fever; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Female; Young Adult; Child; Rift Valley fever virus; Hospital Mortality; Morbidity; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38702807
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02377-z -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of six viruses, from two families of the order , in the general population of central Tunisia. Sera collected from...
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of six viruses, from two families of the order , in the general population of central Tunisia. Sera collected from 377 asymptomatic blood donors were serologically assayed for Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), and four sandfly-borne phleboviruses: Toscana virus (TOSV), sandfly fever Naples virus (SFNV), sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), and sandfly fever Cyprus virus (SFCV). Of the 377 subjects enrolled in this study, 17.3% were IgG positive for at least one of the viruses tested. The most frequently detected antibodies were against TOSV (13.3%), followed by SFCV (2.9%), RVFV (1.9%), SFSV (1.3%), and SFNV (1.1%). Only one sample was IgG positive for CCHFV. Dual reactivity was observed in nine cases: SFSV + SFCV in three cases (0.8%) and TOSV + SFNV, TOSV + SFCV, and TOSV + RVFV in two cases (0.5%) each. 15.9% of donors were IgG positive against sandfly-borne phleboviruses. Among the 65 donors IgG positive for phleboviruses, 50.8% were from rural areas compared to 12.3% from urban areas ( < 0.001); 92.3% had animals in their living quarters ( = 0.009); and 70.8% lived in the vicinity of stagnant water ( = 0.062). Seroprevalence was significantly higher among donors living with chronic diseases ( = 0.039). Furthermore, the seroprevalence of phleboviruses was higher in Kairouan, the central governorate, than in the two coastal governorates: Monastir and Sousse, with 33.4%, 24.2%, and 14.9%, respectively. The presence of antibodies in the general population needs further investigation to better assess the extent of these viruses. Only TOSV was known to have an extensive circulation in Tunisia and in North Africa. Continued surveillance and interventions are necessary to detect the emergence of all arboviruses and to prevent further transmission.
PubMed: 38668303
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040348