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Li J, Wang C, Li X, Zhang G, Sun S, Wang Z, Zhao J, Xiu L, Jiang N, Zhang H, Yang Z, Zhang J. Direct transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus from farm-raised fur animals to workers in Weihai, China. Virol J 2024; 21:113. [PMID: 38760812 PMCID: PMC11100147 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02387-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizhao Li
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 5A-1 Nanyuan Rd, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Chunping Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 5A-1 Nanyuan Rd, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Li
- Microbiology Laboratory Department, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Guoying Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 5A-1 Nanyuan Rd, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Shunzeng Sun
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Wendeng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhefeng Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Wendeng Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 5A-1 Nanyuan Rd, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Linqing Xiu
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 5A-1 Nanyuan Rd, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Nianchen Jiang
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 5A-1 Nanyuan Rd, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Huajiang Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease Control, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 5A-1 Nanyuan Rd, Huancui District, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhenghui Yang
- Weihai Health Commission, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China.
| | - Jinbo Zhang
- Microbiology Laboratory Department, Weihai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Weihai, Shandong Province, P.R. China.
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Mekata H, Yamada K, Umeki K, Yamamoto M, Ochi A, Umekita K, Kobayashi I, Hirai T, Okabayashi T. Nine-year seroepidemiological study of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus infection in feral horses in Cape Toi, Japan. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:190. [PMID: 38734647 PMCID: PMC11088034 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04042-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohisa Mekata
- Division of Research & Inspection for Infectious Diseases, Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Yamada
- Division of Research & Inspection for Infectious Diseases, Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu City, Oita, 879-5593, Japan
| | - Kazumi Umeki
- Division of Respirology Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases and Neurology, Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200-Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan
| | - Mari Yamamoto
- Division of Research & Inspection for Infectious Diseases, Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
| | - Akihiro Ochi
- Equine Research Institute, Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, 329-0412, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Umekita
- Division of Research & Inspection for Infectious Diseases, Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
- Division of Respirology Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases and Neurology, Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200-Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan
| | - Ikuo Kobayashi
- Division of Research & Inspection for Infectious Diseases, Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
- Field Science Center, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 10100-1 Shimanouchi, Miyazaki, 880-0121, Japan
| | - Takuya Hirai
- Division of Research & Inspection for Infectious Diseases, Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
| | - Tamaki Okabayashi
- Division of Research & Inspection for Infectious Diseases, Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
- Department of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, 1-1 Gakuen-kibanadai Nishi, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan
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Kim D, Lai CJ, Cha I, Jung JU. Current Progress of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) Vaccine Development. Viruses 2024; 16:128. [PMID: 38257828 PMCID: PMC10818334 DOI: 10.3390/v16010128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
SFTSV is an emerging tick-borne virus causing hemorrhagic fever with a case fatality rate (CFR) that can reach up to 27%. With endemic infection in East Asia and the recent spread of the vector tick to more than 20 states in the United States, the SFTSV outbreak is a globally growing public health concern. However, there is currently no targeted antiviral therapy or licensed vaccine against SFTSV. Considering the age-dependent SFTS pathogenesis and disease outcome, a sophisticated vaccine development approach is required to safeguard the elderly population from lethal SFTSV infection. Given the recent emergence of SFTSV, the establishment of animal models to study immunogenicity and protection from SFTS symptoms has only occurred recently. The latest research efforts have applied diverse vaccine development approaches-including live-attenuated vaccine, DNA vaccine, whole inactivated virus vaccine, viral vector vaccine, protein subunit vaccine, and mRNA vaccine-in the quest to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SFTSV. This review aims to outline the current progress in SFTSV vaccine development and suggest future directions to enhance the safety and efficacy of these vaccines, ensuring their suitability for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dokyun Kim
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (D.K.); (C.-J.L.); (I.C.)
- Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Chih-Jen Lai
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (D.K.); (C.-J.L.); (I.C.)
- Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Inho Cha
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (D.K.); (C.-J.L.); (I.C.)
- Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jae U. Jung
- Cancer Biology Department, Infection Biology Program, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (D.K.); (C.-J.L.); (I.C.)
- Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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