Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome virus

"Fever with Thrombocytopenia Associated with a Novel Bunyavirus in China" by Xue-Jie Yu from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing.
In 2009, a mysterious illness associated with fever, thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and leukocytopenia was seen in rural areas in central China, with an initial case fatality rate of 30%.
These investigators isolated a novel virus, designated severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus, from patients who presented with fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and multiorgan dysfunction. RNA sequence analysis revealed that the virus was a newly identified member of the genus phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family. Electron-microscopical examination revealed virions with the morphologic characteristics of a bunyavirus. The presence of the virus was confirmed in 171 patients with this syndrome from six provinces by detection of viral RNA, specific antibodies to the virus in blood, or both. Serologic assays showed a virus-specific immune response in all 35 pairs of serum samples collected from patients during the acute and convalescent phases of the illness.
A novel phlebovirus was identified in patients with a life-threatening illness associated with fever and thrombocytopenia in China.
In editorial, Heinz Feldmann from National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana, writes that contrary to predictions of the mid-20th century, infectious diseases are on the rise, threatening human and animal health on both local and global scales.
In developing countries that have the largest burden of infectious diseases, strategies for rapid communication of case clusters and outbreaks need to be implemented. The response has to be secure and safe but also rapid and targeted, with the primary goal of immediately supporting public health while providing the best treatment for the affected patient. Early detection and immediate response will save lives and may prevent the next epidemic or pandemic. [Original Article]

参考：＜速報＞　国内で初めて診断された重症熱性血小板減少症候群患者