Coinfection of Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus and in Developmental Stage of Hard Ticks in Subtropical Region of Korea.

BACKGROUND

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is transmitted through tick bites. Ticks are potential vectors for the bacterium that causes Query fever. Here, we analyzed SFTSV and co-infection rates in ticks in rural areas of Jeju Island, South Korea.

METHODS

Free ticks were collected from the natural environment of the island between 2016 and 2019, and SFTSV RNA was extracted. Additionally, ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used to identify species.

RESULTS

was the most common tick species followed by . Tick number gradually increased from April, peaked in August, and was lowest in March. Of all the collected ticks, 82.6% (2,851/3,458) were nymphs, 17.9% (639/3,458) adults, and 0.1% (4/3,458) larvae. SFTSV-infected ticks comprised 12.6% of all ticks; their numbers were the lowest in November-December, increased from January, and were mostly identified in the adult stage during June-August. infections were detected in 4.4% of the SFTSV-infected ticks. co-infection was mainly observed in the nymph stage of , with the highest infection rate in January, followed by December and November.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that Jeju Island has a high SFTSV and potential infection in ticks. This study provides important insights regarding SFTS and Q fever risk to humans in South Korea.