# Evaluation of zoonotic reservoir hosts for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus

> **NIH NIH R21** · COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $222,423

## Abstract

Project Summary
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is an emerging tick-borne human pathogen in
China, Japan and South Korea. The vector, Haemaphysalis longicornis, was recently discovered in the United
States, and as such, could play a role in viral emergence in North America. Surveillance efforts in endemic
regions show seroconversion and occasional viral RNA in domestic animals and select wildlife, thus indicating
the likelihood for zoonotic transmission of the virus. Presently, our knowledge about host competence and
clinical disease in animals is limited, and this study seeks to elucidate the mechanism for viral amplification and
pathogenesis in vertebrate hosts. This information will be key to understanding the ecology of SFTSV and will
provide guidance for surveillance and monitoring efforts. We will inoculate North American wildlife species with
ecological relevance to Asian species to look for competent reservoir hosts should SFTSV emerge in the
United States. Additionally, we will develop a relevant vector-host model for performing vector competence
studies with H. longicornis using domestic goats, which are a likely source of the virus. These experiments are
expected to provide strong evidence regarding species of interest in disease transmission and spread and
provide vital information about the tick vector.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10057918
- **Project number:** 1R21AI146500-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Angela Mariah Bosco-Lauth
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $222,423
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-05-22 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10057918

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10057918, Evaluation of zoonotic reservoir hosts for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (1R21AI146500-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10057918. Licensed CC0.

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