Genetic Diversity, Regional Distribution, and Clinical Characteristics of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in Gangwon Province, Korea, a Highly Prevalent Region, 2019-2021

Overview

Journal Microorganisms

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2023 Sep 28

PMID 37764132

Authors

Mi-Young Moon

Hyeon Kyu Kim

Se-Jin Chung

Jae Hwan Byun

Ha-Na Kim

Woan Lee

Soon-Won Lee

Sezim Monoldorova

Sungkyeong Lee

Bo-Young Jeon

Eun-Joo Lim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an arthropod-borne viral disease with a high mortality rate with high fever and thrombocytopenia. We investigated the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and viral genotypes from 2019 to 2021 in Gangwon Province, Korea. Of the 776 suspected cases, 62 were SFTS. The fatality rate was 11.5-28.6% (average rate, 19.4%), and the frequent clinical symptoms were high fever (95.2%), thrombocytopenia (95.2%), and leukopenia (90.3%). Hwacheon had the highest incidence rate per 100,000 persons at 8.03, followed by Inje and Yanggu (7.37 and 5.85, respectively). Goseong, Yangyang, and Hoengseong had rates of 2 or higher; Samcheok, Hongcheon, Jeongsen, and Yeonwol were 1.70-1.98, and Wonju, Gangneung, and Donghae were slightly lower, ranging from 0.31 to 0.74. Of the 57 cases with identified genotypes, eight genotypes (A, B1, B2, B3, C, D, E, and F) were detected, and the B2 genotype accounted for 54.4% (31 cases), followed by the A genotype at 22.8% (13 cases). The B2 and A genotypes were detected throughout Gangwon Province, and other genotypes, B1, B3, C, D, and F, were discovered in a few regions. In particular, genotype A could be further classified into subtypes. In conclusion, SFTS occurred throughout Gangwon Province, and Hwacheon had the highest incidence density. Multiple genotypes of SFTS were identified, with B2 and A being the most common. These findings provide important insights for the understanding and management of SFTS in this region.

Citing Articles

Seasonal Dynamics of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Republic of Korea.

Monoldorova S, Lee S, Yun S, Park S, Jeong J, Kim J Pathogens. 2025; 13(12.

PMID: 39770339 PMC: 11728453. DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13121079.

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