The pathogenic and clinical characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome patients with co-infections

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023 Dec 1:13:1298050. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1298050. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to comprehensively describe and evaluate the pathogenic and clinical characteristics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) patients with co-infections.

Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical data and laboratory indicators of the SFTS patients at Tongji Hospital from October 2021 to July 2023.

Results: A total of 157 patients with SFTS virus (SFTSV) infection were involved in the analysis, including 43 co-infection and 114 non-co-infection patients. The pathogens responsible for co-infection were primarily isolated from respiratory specimens. Fungal infections, primarily Aspergillus fumigatus, were observed in 22 cases. Bacterial infections, with Klebsiella pneumoniae and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii as the main pathogens, were identified in 20 cases. SFTS patients with co-infection exhibited higher mortality (P=0.011) compared to non-co-infection patients. Among SFTS patients co-infected with both bacteria and fungi (8 cases) or specific drug-resistant strains (11 cases), the mortality rate was as high as 70% (14/19). In comparison with the non-co-infection group, SFTS patients with co-infection displayed significant alteration in inflammatory markers, coagulation function, and liver function indicators.

Conclusion: The mortality rate of SFTS patients with co-infection is relatively high, underscoring the need for enhanced monitoring and timely, appropriate treatment to minimize the mortality rate.

Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus; SFTS; bacterial infection; co-infection; mortality.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bunyaviridae Infections* / complications
  • Bunyaviridae Infections* / diagnosis
  • Bunyaviridae Infections* / epidemiology
  • Coinfection*
  • Humans
  • Phlebovirus*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome*
  • Thrombocytopenia* / complications
  • Thrombocytopenia* / diagnosis

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by grants from the Special Foundation for National Science and Technology Basic Research Program of China (no. 2019FY101206).