Open Access

Current status of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Hao Sun
    • Quanman Hu
    • Saiwei Lu
    • Yanyan Yang
    • Li Zhang
    • Jinzhao Long
    • Yuefei Jin
    • Haiyan Yang
    • Shuaiyin Chen
    • Guangcai Duan
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 18, 2025     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2025.5610
  • Article Number: 169
  • Copyright: © Sun et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is a newly emerging tick‑borne infectious disease caused by the novel Bunyavirus/SFTS virus (SFTSV). The clinical manifestations mainly include fever, thrombocytopenia and multi‑organ dysfunction, with a fatality rate as high as 30%. Since its first report in China in 2009, cases have subsequently emerged in multiple countries across East and Southeast Asia. SFTS demonstrates clear seasonal trends from May to November and tends to cluster geographically, mainly in hilly and mountainous areas. The virus is transmitted through tick bites, animal contact and human‑to‑human transmission. Its genetic diversity and frequent genetic recombination exacerbate public health threats. Pathogenic mechanism studies have shown that SFTSV uses glycoproteins Gn/Gc to mediate host cell invasion. In the early stage, the virus uses its non‑structural protein NSs to inhibit innate immune signal transduction. Massive replication of the virus leads to excessive immune activation, triggering cytokine storms and abnormal platelet activation, and eventually resulting in bleeding and multiple organ failure. The clinical management primarily relies on supportive care, while broad‑spectrum antiviral drugs and neutralizing antibodies remain investigational. Although numerous vaccine candidates have been designed and developed, none have progressed to clinical trials. This review systematically integrates current knowledge spanning virology, epidemiology, pathogenic mechanisms, therapeutic interventions and vaccine development, offering actionable insights for public health strategies and clinical practice.
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November-2025
Volume 56 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Sun H, Hu Q, Lu S, Yang Y, Zhang L, Long J, Jin Y, Yang H, Chen S, Duan G, Duan G, et al: Current status of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China (Review). Int J Mol Med 56: 169, 2025.
APA
Sun, H., Hu, Q., Lu, S., Yang, Y., Zhang, L., Long, J. ... Duan, G. (2025). Current status of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 56, 169. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2025.5610
MLA
Sun, H., Hu, Q., Lu, S., Yang, Y., Zhang, L., Long, J., Jin, Y., Yang, H., Chen, S., Duan, G."Current status of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 56.5 (2025): 169.
Chicago
Sun, H., Hu, Q., Lu, S., Yang, Y., Zhang, L., Long, J., Jin, Y., Yang, H., Chen, S., Duan, G."Current status of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in China (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 56, no. 5 (2025): 169. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2025.5610