Double-Stranded RNA-Based Method for Diagnosing Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia.

Background/

Objectives

This study explores the potential of using elevated levels of blood double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a diagnostic tool for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) infection.

Methods

Blood samples from SFTS patients were collected, dsRNA was purified, and total dsRNA expression was quantitatively analyzed using a spiropyran-based method. Comparative analysis was performed using blood samples from healthy individuals and scrub typhus patients with similar symptoms.

Results

The results revealed that individuals infected with SFTS had significantly higher total blood dsRNA levels compared to healthy or scrub typhus controls. The dsRNA-based method also has potential for assessing infection severity based on dsRNA levels.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that total dsRNA expression can serve as a quick and convenient method to differentiate SFTS from other non-viral conditions with similar clinical presentations. This method shows promise as a novel diagnostic tool.