Fig 1.
Framework of experimental transmission study of SFTSV.
(A) Transovarial Transmission. Thirty adults for each three tick species that were microinjected with SFTSV cell culture dilution (3.65×106 PFU/ml) were used as SFTSV group. Thirty adults for each three tick species microinjected with PBS were used as control group. (B) Transstadial Transmission. To determine transstadial transmission of SFTSV by two tick species, we fed larvae and nymphs on SFTSV-infected mice in the SFTSV group and fed larvae and nymphs on PBS-injected mice in the control group. In larval or nymph acquisition feeding, the engorged larvae or engorged nymphs were tested for SFTSV by RT-PCR before or after molting.
Table 1.
Detection of SFTSV for four tick species in the transovarial transmission.
Table 2.
Detection of SFTSV for three tick species in the transstadial transmission.
Fig 2.
Detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) antibodies in serum samples from animals fed by SFTSV-infected ticks through immunofluorescence assay.
A) Serum samples from the mouse bitten by I. sinensis ticks reacting with SFTSV-infected Vero E6 cells (A-1 SFTSV group, A-2 Control group). B) Serum samples from the mouse bitten by I. persulcatus ticks reacting with SFTSV-infected Vero E6 cells (B-1 SFTSV group, B-2 Control group). C) Serum samples from the rabbit bitten by D. silvarum ticks reacting with SFTSV-infected Vero E6 cells (C-1 SFTSV group, C-2 Control group). D) Serum samples from the rabbit bitten by H. longicornis ticks reacting with SFTSV-infected Vero E6 cells (D-1 SFTSV group, D-2 Control group).
Table 3.
Animals used in the transovarial transmission cycle of SFTSV for four tick species.
Table 4.
Animals used in the transstadial transmission cycle of SFTSV for three tick species.