Suspected Transmission of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus from a Cat to a Veterinarian by a Single Contact: A Case Report

A 67-year-old male veterinarian presented with fatigue, anorexia, and diarrhea. Although there were no tick bite marks, we suspected severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) due to bicytopenia, mild disturbance of consciousness, and a history of outdoor activities. Thus, we started immunoglobulin therapy immediately. A serum reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SFTS virus (SFTSV) was positive. The patient had treated a cat with thrombocytopenia 10 days prior to admission. The cat's serum SFTSV RT-PCR test result was positive, and the whole genome sequences of the patient's and cat's SFTSV were identical, suggesting the possibility of transmission from the cat to the patient. Other cases of direct cat-to-human SFTV transmission have been reported recently. Mucous membranes should be protected, including eye protection, in addition to standard precautions, when in contact with any cat with suspected SFTS.

Automated summary

A 67-year-old male veterinarian presented with fatigue, anorexia, and diarrhea. He was diagnosed with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) based on bicytopenia, mild disturbance of consciousness, and a history of outdoor activities. Immunoglobulin therapy was immediately started and a serum reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test confirmed the presence of SFTS virus (SFTSV). The patient had contact with a thrombocytopenic cat before admission, and both the patient and cat had identical SFTSV genome sequences, indicating a possible transmission from the cat to the patient. Direct cat-to-human transmission of SFTV has been reported, emphasizing the need for mucous membrane protection when in contact with cats suspected of having SFTS.