Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a case of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Mentougou district, Beijing in 2021

  Objective  To understand the sources of infection, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a patient with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Mentougou district, Beijing and provide scientific evidence for the development of SFTS prevention and control strategy.

  Methods  An epidemiological investigation was conducted, and the patient's blood sample was collected. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect SFTS virus (SFTSV) nucleic acid and antibodies. Additionally, investigations were carried out to identify the vector and host animal involved in the transmission of the virus.

  Results  The investigation results showed that the patient had lived in local area without travel history outside Beijing in recent years. Real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction test showed that the serum sample of the patient was SFTSV nucleic positive, and the serum antibody test showed positive result of IgM antibody, and the virus content was 1.9×10⁴ TCID₅₀/mL. The patient exhibited clinical manifestations of fever, progressive thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Following treatment with the antiviral drug Ribavirin, the patient gradually recovered with the entire illness lasting for a period of 20 days. The blood sample of domestic dog of the patient weas negative for both SFTSV nucleic acid and IgM antibody Five H. longicornis were captured in the surrounding area where the case lived, which were negative for SFTSV nucleic acid.

  Conclusion  This case of SFTS was the first one reported in Mentougou. In the future, it is necessary to improve the surveillance for SFTS, vector surveillance and health education.