Infect Chemother.  2019 Dec;51(4):337-344. 10.3947/ic.2019.51.4.337.

Seroprevalence of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome in the Agricultural Population of Jeju Island, Korea, 2015–2017

• Yoo JR
• Heo ST
• Kim M
• Song SW
• Boo JW
• Lee KH

• KMID: 2466466
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3947/ic.2019.51.4.337

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease that is caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV), and exhibits an overall mortality rate of approximately 20.0% in Korea. Most cases of this disease have been reported in Korea, East China, and Japan, and it mostly affects outdoor workers and farmers. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of SFTSV among healthy farmers on Jeju Island, Korea.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this prospective cross-sectional study, we analyzed 421 blood samples obtained from 254 farmers (mean age, 59.9 years; 68.9% male) to determine the seroprevalence of SFTSV in 16 rural areas of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province over a period of 3 years (January 2015-December 2017). We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies against SFTSV in the collected samples.
RESULTS
The seroprevalence of the SFTSV IgG among farmers on Jeju Island was observed to be 2.4%. One subject showed seropositivity over the entire 3-year study period. The areas with the highest SFTSV IgG seropositivity rates were Seonheul-ri in Jocheon-eup, followed by Namwon-eup. Fruit farmers were at a higher risk of exposure to SFTSV than other farmers.
CONCLUSION
The seroprevalence of SFTSV in the healthy agricultural population of Jeju Island was not high. However, personal hygiene management should be implemented for the agricultural population in the endemic areas. Surveillance of mild or asymptomatic infections is required in the endemic regions.

Keyword

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome; Phlebovirus; Seroprevalence; Epidemiology; Korea

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Asymptomatic Infections
China
Cross-Sectional Studies
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Epidemiology
Farmers
Fever*
Fruit
Humans
Hygiene
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins
Japan
Korea*
Mortality
Phlebovirus
Prospective Studies
Seroepidemiologic Studies*
Thrombocytopenia*
Zoonoses
Antibodies
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Geographic distribution of 421 samples obtained from subjects and the distribution of SFTSV IgG seropositivity among agricultural and livestock workers on Jeju Island, South Korea, 2015–2017. Violet dots indicate the location of seropositive SFTSV IgG subjects. The number of samples is shown in the boxes [2015–2016(repeat number)–2017(repeat number)]. HL, Hanlim-eup; AW, Aewol-eup; NH, Nohyeong-dong; ILD, Ildo-dong; ID, Ido-dong; AR, Ara-dong; HB, Hwabug-dong; SY, Samyang-dong; BG, Bonggae-dong; JC, Jocheon-eup; GJ, Gujwa-eup; SS, Seongsan-eup; WP, Wolpyeong-dong; GJ*, Ganjeong-dong; DJ, Daejeong-eup; HG, Hangyeong-myeon; DR, Daeryun-dong; SH, Seohong-dong; NW, Nanwon-eup; PS, Pyoseon-myeon

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