Low seroprevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus antibodies in individuals living in an endemic area of Japan.

Low seroprevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus antibodies in individuals living in an endemic area of Japan. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2018 Apr 27;: Authors: Gokuden M, Fukushi S, Saijo M, Nakadouzono F, Iwamoto Y, Yamamoto M, Hozumi N, Nakayama K, Ishitani K, Nishi N, Ootsubo M Abstract Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne infectious disease with a high rate of mortality. It is caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). SFTS is endemic to western Japan, including the Kagoshima prefecture. Here, healthy persons living in Kagoshima prefecture were examined to assess the anti-SFTSV seroprevalence. An initial study was performed using serum samples collected from a total of 646 persons living in Kagoshima. At the same time, a questionnaire was used to collect information (occupation and history of being bitten by tick). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an indirect immunofluorescence assay were used for the screening. Finally, anti-SFTSV antibodies were confirmed in a neutralization assay. Only two persons among the 646 study participants (0.3%) were positive for anti-SFTSV antibodies. There was no significant difference between persons with a high tick bite risk and those with a low tick bite risk in terms of seropositivity. Next, a total of 1,000 serum samples collected from general blood donors by the Japanese Red Cross Kyushu Block Blood Center were tested. None of these samples were posi...
Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Jpn J Infect Dis Source Type: research