Korean J Med.  2018 Oct;93(5):416-423. 10.3904/kjm.2018.93.5.416.

The Most Common Mite- and Tick-borne Infectious Diseases in Korea: Scrub Typhus and Severe Fever Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

• Kim DY
• Kim DM

• KMID: 2446982
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2018.93.5.416

Abstract

The incidence of mite- and tick-borne infectious disease is increasing with climate change and the development of diagnostic tools. Tick-borne infectious diseases include Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), and Japanese spotted fever. Rickettsial pox and scrub typhus are mite-borne infectious diseases. Scrub typhus and SFTS are the most common mite- and tick-borne infectious diseases in Korea, respectively. They are often difficult to diagnose at an early stage of disease. To make a definite diagnosis of mite- and tick-borne infectious disease, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or serologic testing for antibodies during the acute and convalescent periods are necessary. If patients with nonspecific symptoms, such as fever, headache, nausea, and vomiting, have a history of outdoor activity or a tick bite, it is reasonable to consider the possibility of mite- or tick-borne infectious diseases clinically. There are no vaccinations against mite- and tick-borne infectious diseases. Therefore, preventing mite or tick bites is the best way to prevent the diseases.

Keyword

Tick-borne diseases; Scrub typhus; Phlebovirus

MeSH Terms

Anaplasmosis
Animals
Antibodies
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Climate Change
Communicable Diseases*
Diagnosis
Ehrlichiosis
Fever*
Headache
Humans
Incidence
Korea*
Lyme Disease
Mites
Nausea
Phlebovirus
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Scrub Typhus*
Serologic Tests
Thrombocytopenia*
Tick Bites
Tick-Borne Diseases
Vaccination
Vomiting
Antibodies