Korean J Parasitol Vol. 52, No. 2: 221-224, April 2014

http://dx.doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2014.52.2.221

No Detection of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus from Ixodid Ticks Collected in Seoul

Heejin Ham*, Sukju Jo, Jungim Jang, Sungmin Choi

Seoul Metropolitan Government Institute of Public Health and Environment, Seoul 137-734, Korea

Abstract: Larvae, nymphs, and adult stages of 3 species of ixodid ticks were collected by tick drag methods in Seoul during June-October 2013, and their infection status with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus was examined using RT-PCR. During the period, 732 Haemaphysalis longicornis, 62 Haemaphysalis flava, and 2 Ixodes nippo\-nensis specimens were collected. Among the specimens of H. longicornis, the number of female adults, male adults, nymphs, and larvae were 53, 11, 240, and 446, respectively. Ticks were grouped into 63 pools according to the collection site, species, and developmental stage, and assayed for SFTS virus. None of the pools of ticks were found to be positive for SFTS virus gene.

Key words: Haemaphysalis longicornis, tick, SFTS virus, Seoul