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Density and SFTS virus infection rates of ixodid ticks in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea, 2016
- Date2017-11-23 18:43
- Update2017-11-23 18:43
- DivisionDivision of Strategic Planning for Emerging Infectious Diseases
- Tel043-719-7271
Density and SFTS virus infection rates of ixodid ticks in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea, 2016
Kim Seong Yoon, Roh Jong Yul, Lee Hak Seon, Lim Hyung Woo, Cho Shin Hyeong
Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Center for Laboratory control of Infectious Diseases, KCDC.
Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease. The causative agent, SFTS virus, is transmitted to humans via tick bites. The purpose of the present study was to monitor the tick population density and the infectious status of SFTS virus in South Korea.
Methodology/Results: From April to November 2016, ticks were collected monthly at four sites in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea using a dry ice trap. A total of 9,987 ixodid ticks, including Haemaphysalis longicornis (9,220; 92.3%), H. flava (713; 7.1%), Ixodes nipponensis (30; 0.3%), and Amblyomma testudinarium (24; 0.2%) were collected. The highest densities of ticks were observed in May for nymph ticks from May to July for adult ticks, and in September for larval ticks. Ticks were pooled (5,275 ticks in 347 pools) and tested by reverse tranion polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested PCR. The minimum infection rate for the ticks was 0.15% (8 pools): 0.13% for H. longicornis (6 pools) and 0.41% for H. flava (2 pools).
Conclusion: These results suggest that because ixodid ticks are active from March to November, protective measures should be taken to prevent SFTS during those periods.
Keywords: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, Ixodid ticks, Tick-borne diseases, Minimum infection rate, Haemaphysalis longicornis
Kim Seong Yoon, Roh Jong Yul, Lee Hak Seon, Lim Hyung Woo, Cho Shin Hyeong
Division of Vectors and Parasitic Diseases, Center for Laboratory control of Infectious Diseases, KCDC.
Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne disease. The causative agent, SFTS virus, is transmitted to humans via tick bites. The purpose of the present study was to monitor the tick population density and the infectious status of SFTS virus in South Korea.
Methodology/Results: From April to November 2016, ticks were collected monthly at four sites in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea using a dry ice trap. A total of 9,987 ixodid ticks, including Haemaphysalis longicornis (9,220; 92.3%), H. flava (713; 7.1%), Ixodes nipponensis (30; 0.3%), and Amblyomma testudinarium (24; 0.2%) were collected. The highest densities of ticks were observed in May for nymph ticks from May to July for adult ticks, and in September for larval ticks. Ticks were pooled (5,275 ticks in 347 pools) and tested by reverse tranion polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested PCR. The minimum infection rate for the ticks was 0.15% (8 pools): 0.13% for H. longicornis (6 pools) and 0.41% for H. flava (2 pools).
Conclusion: These results suggest that because ixodid ticks are active from March to November, protective measures should be taken to prevent SFTS during those periods.
Keywords: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, Ixodid ticks, Tick-borne diseases, Minimum infection rate, Haemaphysalis longicornis
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