Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne pathogen first reported in China in 2009. Phylogenetic analysis of the viral genome showed it represents a new lineage within the Phlebovirus genus, distinct from the existing sandfly fever and Uukuniemi virus groups, in the family Bunyaviridae. SFTS disease is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, chills, joint pain, myalgia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia and some haemorrhagic manifestations, with a case fatality rate of about 2-15%.
Work at the CVR aims to understand the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of this novel and emerging pathogen.
Contact: Ben Brennan
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Fluorescently labelled SFTSV viral proteins in cells, viewed by confocal microscopy