Abstract

Background: Severe Fever Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), an emerging infectious disease is caused by a Phlebovirus, Severe Fever Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus, from Bunyaviridea family. This virus is transmitted through bite of infected ticks found in domestic animals and can also be transmitted to healthy individuals by contact with an infected human's blood or mucous.
Methodology: In 2017, while managing patients of acute febrile illness with thrombocytopenia at Rawalpindi Medical University (RMU), Pakistan, 31 patients were identified who fulfilled criteria for probable SFTS diagnosis. A prospective study was conducted using patient's demographical data, clinical and laboratory investigations.
Results: Prospective analysis revealed that mostly patients were young females (mean 22±8.94SD), residents of lower socioeconomic dwellings and involved in cattle handling. Majority of these patients had fever with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and mucosal bleeding. Anemia, thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, deranged liver and renal functions were consistently notable findings. Mortality rate was 29%. Poor prognostic factors included advanced SFTS stage at admission, multi-organ dysfunction, respiratory failure and shorter duration of hospitalization.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, it is emphasized to include Severe Fever Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus (SFTSV) screening as a potential etiology among the tick-borne infections in Pakistan and to initiate epidemiological surveys especially in tick-infected regions.

Key words: Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, Probable, Characteristics, febrile illness, tick-born, Pakistan.