Work

Early Tick Species Identification Using Eschar‐Based PCR to Guide Presymptomatic Risk Assessment in Tick‐Borne Diseases

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT In endemic regions where simultaneous larval tick bites frequently occur, early identification of tick species from eschar lesions may substantially influence presymptomatic clinical triage. We report a 78‐year‐old woman who was found after approximately 24 h of wandering, presenting with multiple clustered eschars on the lower extremities and several attached ticks on the trunk. PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of the mitochondrial 16 S rRNA gene from two removed ticks and ten representative eschars consistently identified Amblyomma testudinarium . As this species is a known vector of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus but not Rickettsia japonica , the risk of Japanese spotted fever (JSF) was considered low, and clinical monitoring was focused on early manifestations of SFTS. The patient remained asymptomatic and was subsequently transferred to a long‐term care facility. This case highlights that, in high‐incidence settings with numerous bite sites, selective PCR analysis of representative eschars offers a rapid and resource‐sparing approach to infer vector species and guide risk assessment before symptom onset, thereby supporting targeted surveillance and shared decision‐making in frontline practice.

Source: Clinical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.72395

Authors: Makoto Kondo, Koji Habe, Keiichi Yamanaka

Institution: Mie University

Language: English

Topic: Vector-borne infectious diseases

Subfield: Parasitology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,820