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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
08:23
Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
Multisystem Detection and Molecular Evidence Linking Dog-Associated Ticks to Two Fatal Human SFTSV Infections in
Sarawut Khongwichit1, Sethapong Lertsakulbunlue2, Nattapol Pruetpongpun3
1Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.)
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) has been detected in Thailand, causing fatal human infections. The virus was found in patients and associated ticks, highlighting a potential new public health concern in Southeast Asia.
Area of Science:
- * Emerging infectious diseases
- * Viral pathogenesis
- * One Health surveillance
Background:
- * Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne pathogen prevalent in East Asia.
- * Limited data exists regarding SFTSV in Southeast Asia.
- * SFTSV poses a significant threat due to its high fatality rate.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To report the first confirmed cases of SFTSV in Thailand.
- * To investigate the presence of SFTSV in human patients and associated tick populations.
- * To conduct phylogenetic analysis of SFTSV strains in the region.
Main Methods:
- * Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for viral detection.
- * Sample collection from human patients (plasma, CSF, secretions, urine, stool).
- * Tick sample collection from households and phylogenetic analysis of viral RNA.
Main Results:
- * Two fatal human SFTS cases confirmed in Thailand.
- * SFTSV RNA detected in multiple human specimen types, indicating systemic infection.
- * SFTSV RNA identified in *Rhipicephalus sanguineus* ticks associated with human cases; phylogenetic analysis confirmed genotype B-1, related to Thai and Chinese strains.
Conclusions:
- * Molecular evidence confirms SFTSV circulation in Thailand, associated with dog ticks.
- * Findings suggest a potential epidemiological link between ticks, animals, and human SFTSV infections.
- * Emphasizes the need for increased clinical awareness and integrated surveillance in Southeast Asia, especially in regions co-endemic with dengue.
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