2023 Volume 72 Issue 3 Pages 374-381
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus, which is transmitted through tick bites into humans. SFTS has been observed in China and Southeast Asia, and it is distributed unevenly in Western Japan. In this study, we experienced 8 cases (2 cases in 2019, 1 case in 2020, and 5 cases in 2021) of SFTS whose diagnosis was confirmed by the nucleic acid amplification test at our hospital, which is in western Shimane, from June 2019 to July 2021. We investigated the clinical background, hematological findings, treatment, and severe symptoms of the SFTS patients. Results showed that most of the SFTS patients were suspected to be infected in areas with few houses and many fields, but some of the patients were also found to be infected in areas with houses and stores. Moreover, we confirmed that some of these patients were infected by not only ticks but also cats and dogs. The complications were observed in 4 cases that were varied, including disseminated intravascular coagulation, multiple organ failure, viral myocarditis, and hemophagocytic syndrome. However, no significant difference in hematological findings was found between the severe and mild cases. Since a definitive diagnosis is requested by the Public Health Institute, we have revised the manual of response to SFTS to make it understandable, and thus, we can respond quickly when we encounter a patient suspected of having SFTS.
