Evidence of nosocomial human-to-human transmission of Dabie bandavirus: a clinical, epidemiological, and virological investigation - Scorecard - MDSpire
Clinical Scorecard: Investigating Human-to-Human Transmission of Dabie Bandavirus in Healthcare Settings: Clinical, Epidemiological, and Virological Insights
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS)
Key Mechanisms
Infection with Dabie bandavirus (DBV), transmitted primarily through ticks but also capable of non–vector-borne human-to-human transmission.
Target Population
Healthcare workers, patients, and others exposed to individuals with DBV infection or their infectious body fluids.
Care Setting
Hospital wards, intensive care units, and other healthcare environments.
Key Highlights
DBV infection can cause fever, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, hemorrhage, encephalitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
Reported case fatality rates range from approximately 12% to 50%.
The hospital cluster comprised one index patient and five secondary cases: four healthcare workers and one patient who shared the index patient’s ward.
Whole-genome sequences from the index case and secondary cases S4 and S5 showed high genetic identity and clustered together within Clade II, supporting nosocomial transmission.
DBV was isolated from S4 and S5, and neutralizing antibody levels increased over time in monitored secondary cases.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
The article does not provide formal diagnostic guidelines.
DBV infection in the cluster was evaluated using antigen or nucleic acid testing, and qRT-PCR was used to detect viral RNA in serum samples.
Management
Monitor patients for hematologic abnormalities, coagulopathy, hepatic and renal dysfunction, hemorrhage, and progression to multiple organ dysfunction.
The article does not establish a specific treatment recommendation.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Conduct detailed contact tracing after confirmed healthcare-associated cases.
Assess the type and duration of exposure and adherence to infection-control measures, including use of personal protective equipment.
Consider whole-genome sequencing during cluster investigations to help establish transmission relationships.
Risks
Direct contact with infectious body fluids and unprotected ocular exposure may facilitate human-to-human transmission.
Transmission risks in shared clinical spaces may be underestimated, although airborne transmission was not established in this investigation.
Patient & Prescribing Data
The cluster included one index patient and five secondary cases. Four secondary cases were healthcare workers, and the fifth was a patient who shared a ward with the index case without documented direct contact. The study did not establish prescribing guidance or compare treatment regimens.
Clinical Best Practices
Enforce comprehensive infection-control measures when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed DBV infection.
Use appropriate personal protective equipment, including eye protection, during invasive care and exposure to potentially infectious fluids.
Perform contact tracing and review potential exposures after a nosocomial case is identified.
Integrate epidemiological findings with viral isolation and whole-genome sequencing when reconstructing transmission clusters.
Related Resources & Content
Kim WY, Choi W, Park SW, et al. Nosocomial transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Korea. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;60:1681–1683.
Hu L, Li J, Zhang H, et al. Predisposing factors for person-to-person transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus. J Hosp Infect. 2022;123:174–178.
Wu YX, Yang X, Leng Y, et al. Human-to-human transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus through potential ocular exposure to infectious blood. Int J Infect Dis. 2022;123:80–83.
Bae S, Chang HH, Kim SW, et al. Nosocomial outbreak of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome among healthcare workers in a single hospital in Daegu, Korea. Int J Infect Dis. 2022;119:95–101.
Moon J, Lee H, Jeon JH, et al. Aerosol transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus during resuscitation. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2019;40:238–241.
Ryu BH, Kim JY, Kim T, et al. Extensive severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus contamination in surrounding environment in patient rooms. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2018;24:911.e1–911.e4.
Sang S, Chen P, Li C, Zhang A, Wang Y, Liu Q. The classification, origin, and evolutionary dynamics of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus circulating in East Asia. Virus Evol. 2024;10:veae072.
Sheng R, Cheng T, Wang Y, Wen H. Molecular evolution and geographic migration of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in Asia. PLoS Pathog. 2025;21:e1012970.
