Age-dependent pathogenicity of two severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome viruses in a ferret model
Eun Bee Choi, Eun Young Jang, Seungyeon Kim, Seo Young Moon, Da-Young Kang, Hyo-Min Woo, Beoul Kim, You-Jeong Lee, Min-Goo Seo, Yoo-kyoung Lee, In-Ohk Ouh, Yong‐Myung Kang
This study compares the pathogenicity of two SFTSV genotypes in young and old ferrets, showing that older animals exhibit more severe disease and that viral strain differences have limited impact within the same age group.
bioRxiv · Mar 16, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology