Dabie bandavirus (DBV)

Dabie bandavirus (DBV), formerly known as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), is an emerging tick-borne virus belonging to the genus Bandavirus, family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales[5][2][7]. DBV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus with a tripartite genome (segments L, M, S) encoding an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, membrane glycoproteins (Gn, Gc), a nucleoprotein (NP), and a nonstructural protein (NSs)[1][2][5][9]. It primarily infects humans, causing severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), characterized by acute fever, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, elevated liver enzymes, and potentially fatal multiorgan failure[3][9]. DBV is transmitted by ticks (notably Haemaphysalis longicornis) and has spread throughout Eastern Asia[10][9]. No approved antiviral treatments or vaccines exist as of 2024, but several experimental drugs and passive antibody therapies are being researched. The NSs protein plays a key role in immune evasion by blocking the host interferon response, while the Gn and Gc glycoproteins enable cell entry and are important targets for neutralizing antibodies[1][2][3][6].

Other names

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virusSFTSVBandavirus dabieenseHuaiyangshan banyangvirus

RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors (e.g., favipiravir); Neutralizing antibodies blocking glycoprotein-mediated entry (investigational); Interferon pathway modulators (supportive/experimental; NSs protein blocks these pathways).