Detection and isolation of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus from ticks in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is one of the tick-borne diseases caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection in East Asia. In this study, we conducted tick surveillance to clarify a prevalence of SFTSV in tick population. Ticks were collected from animals and vegetation in Kumamoto Prefecture between 2012 to 2016, and were provided for detection of SFTSV genomic RNA by reverse transcription PCR method. Of these 912 pooled tick samples, SFTSV RNA was detected from 14 of pooled-tick samples (Amblyomma testudinarium and other 4 Haemaphysalis ticks). Sequencing of two isolates revealed that the major Japanese genotype was found from dog blood sucking ticks (Haemaphysalis longicornis). These finding is important to public health concern for tick borne emerging virus infection in Kumamoto Prefecture. This is the first report of isolation of SFTSV from tick in Japan.