The role of animals in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS): a scoping review.
14 affiliations
- 1Basic Medical College, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530001, China.
- 2School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China.
- 3School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, China.
- 4School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20020, China.
- 5Department of Medical Entomology and Parasitology, Institute of Public Health, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
- 6Institute of Veterinary Medicine of the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan.
- 7Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, National Research Centre, El Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
- 8Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Mongolian University of Life Sciences, Zaisan, Ulaanbaatar, 17024, Mongolia.
- 9National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China.
- 10Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX37LF, UK.
- 11School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China. [email protected].
- 12School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, China. [email protected].
- 13National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, China. [email protected].
- 14School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 20025, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis with a high case-fatality rate and expanding geographic range. Its persistence depends on complex cycles involving ticks and vertebrate animal hosts. A comprehensive understanding of animal roles is critical for predicting spillover risk and developing effective interventions under a One Health framework. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize existing evidence on the roles of domestic animals, wildlife, and companion animals in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and transmission of SFTSV.Methods
A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Multiple databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang) and grey literature sources were searched from January 1, 2011 to October 21, 2025. Eligible studies involved non-human animals or ticks and confirmed SFTSV infection or exposure. Evidence was narratively synthesized across prespecified themes: animal host roles, clinical manifestations, transmission dynamics, and prevention strategies. We mapped the distribution of evidence across animal species, study designs, geographic regions, diagnostic approaches, and thematic domains.Results
The review identified a broad animal host range comprising at least 15 vertebrate species across domestic, wildlife, and companion categories. Domestic ruminants show high seroprevalence and act as primary amplification hosts. Wildlife (e.g., rodents, shrews) contribute to enzootic maintenance. Cats are highly susceptible, develop severe disease with high viral loads, and are a major source of direct non-vector transmission to humans. Dogs often have mild illness but can shed virus persistently. Transmission primarily occurs via the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, but direct transmission via contact with blood/secretions of sick animals (especially cats and farmed mink) is significant. Prevention requires integrated tick management, biosecurity in veterinary/farm settings, and public education.Conclusions
Animals are central to the ecology of SFTSV. Current evidence underscores the necessity of integrated, multisectoral One Health strategies for surveillance, risk communication, and control. Future research priorities include standardizing host-competence studies, harmonizing diagnostics, elucidating comparative immunopathology, and evaluating the feasibility and impact of intervention bundles, including potential veterinary vaccines.
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BibTeX
@article{li2026role,
title = {{The role of animals in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS): a scoping review.}},
author = {Jian Li and Zhebin Hu and Hai Tong and Saira Mustehsan and Muhammad Uzair Mukhtar and Nazrullozoda Sulaimon and Eman E El Shanawany and Chimedtseren Bayasgalan and Zengyun Hu and Lei Duan and Zhaoyu Guo and Muxin Chen and Wei Hu and Xiaonong Zhou and Xinyu Feng},
journal = {Infectious diseases of poverty},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1186/s40249-026-01505-x},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968132},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - The role of animals in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS): a scoping review.
AU - Jian Li
AU - Zhebin Hu
AU - Hai Tong
AU - Saira Mustehsan
AU - Muhammad Uzair Mukhtar
AU - Nazrullozoda Sulaimon
AU - Eman E El Shanawany
AU - Chimedtseren Bayasgalan
AU - Zengyun Hu
AU - Lei Duan
AU - Zhaoyu Guo
AU - Muxin Chen
AU - Wei Hu
AU - Xiaonong Zhou
AU - Xinyu Feng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - Infectious diseases of poverty
DO - 10.1186/s40249-026-01505-x
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968132
AB - Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis with a high case-fatality rate and expanding geographic range. Its persistence depends on complex cycles involving ticks and vertebrate animal hosts. A comprehensive understanding of animal roles is critical for predicting spillover risk and developing effective interventions under a One Health framework. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize existing evidence on the roles of domestic animals, wildlife, and companion animals in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and transmission of SFTSV.Methods A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Multiple databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang) and grey literature sources were searched from January 1, 2011 to October 21, 2025. Eligible studies involved non-human animals or ticks and confirmed SFTSV infection or exposure. Evidence was narratively synthesized across prespecified themes: animal host roles, clinical manifestations, transmission dynamics, and prevention strategies. We mapped the distribution of evidence across animal species, study designs, geographic regions, diagnostic approaches, and thematic domains.Results The review identified a broad animal host range comprising at least 15 vertebrate species across domestic, wildlife, and companion categories. Domestic ruminants show high seroprevalence and act as primary amplification hosts. Wildlife (e.g., rodents, shrews) contribute to enzootic maintenance. Cats are highly susceptible, develop severe disease with high viral loads, and are a major source of direct non-vector transmission to humans. Dogs often have mild illness but can shed virus persistently. Transmission primarily occurs via the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis, but direct transmission via contact with blood/secretions of sick animals (especially cats and farmed mink) is significant. Prevention requires integrated tick management, biosecurity in veterinary/farm settings, and public education.Conclusions Animals are central to the ecology of SFTSV. Current evidence underscores the necessity of integrated, multisectoral One Health strategies for surveillance, risk communication, and control. Future research priorities include standardizing host-competence studies, harmonizing diagnostics, elucidating comparative immunopathology, and evaluating the feasibility and impact of intervention bundles, including potential veterinary vaccines.
SN - 2095-5162
SN - 2049-9957
ER -