Zoonosis is an infectious disease that spreads from animals to humans and is classified as bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic depending on pathogen. Direct propagation involves transmission from animals to humans without an intermediate vector, whereas indirect propagation involves transmission through intermediate vectors such as mosquitoes and mites. Currently, about 300 types of zoonosis are known, and about 60 types of zoonosis require preventive management. Global warming caused by human activity has resulted in an increase in greenhouse gases such as CO₂. As the vectors are sensitive to climate change, recent climate change is mainly caused by global warming. In Korea, temperatures have risen 1.5°C since 1900, with annual precipitation showing a large fluctuation, and more extreme weather (drought and flood) than ever before [1]. Such climate change will change the environment and the ecosystems where vectors live. Because vectors are sensitive to climate change, the distribution of the vectors may be altered, which may also affect the distribution of various infectious diseases.

The class Arachnida includes spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, harvestmen, and solifuges. Within the Arachnida is the order Acari, which includes ticks and mites, and is reported to have 50,000 species on Earth. Approximately 500 species of ticks and mites are distributed in Korea [2]. Among these, 5 genera and 27 species of ticks are known [3]. Our research included only members of the Acari known as hard ticks.

The tick form is largely divided into the mouthparts and the body. The mouthparts can be uniquely specialized so that ticks can live in various environments. The mouthparts allow ticks to penetrate the host skin and extract a blood meal from the tissue underneath. The upper side of the body consists of a protective plate, called the scutum. The lower side of the body consists of the legs and respiratory, digestive, and reproductive structures. In males, the scutum is large, whereas in females the scutum is much smaller [4].

The life includes a six-legged larva, followed by an eight-legged nymph, followed by an eight-legged adult. Ticks shed their exoskeleton between each of these stages. Hard ticks have a single larval and nymphal stage before becoming adults. The larva and adult have differences in the presence of reproductive cells and the number of bristles. Both sexes of ticks must feed on the blood of a vertebrate host in all of their life stages. Through the blood sucking process, pathogens inside the tick move to the host, causing illness. Ticks detect the host’s movements due to temperature changes, odors, and vibrations of the ground, and then escape from the host to the ground and undergo metamorphosis.

Ticks infect humans and animals with organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoans. Tick-vectored diseases include severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), tickborne encephalitis, anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, and others [5-7].

SFTSV is a Phlebovirus belonging to the family Bunyaviridae, which includes group V negative single-stranded RNA viruses. In China, ticks such as Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. flava, Amblyomma testudinarium, and Ixodes nipponensis were reported to transmit SFTSV in humans and animals [5]. To date, SFTSV has no vaccine or therapeutic treatment and has a fatality rate of as much as 30%. The number of cases is increasing every year in Korea [6-8].

Because the number of infectious diseases caused by vectors is increasing with an increase in global warming and in outdoor leisure activities, it is important to study the influence of climate and environmental changes on the influx and spread of these diseases through long-term monitoring.

Jeju Island is located at the southernmost tip of the Korean Peninsula and corresponds to 33°10′33°34′N and 126°10′127°E east longitude. Recently, with the introduction of warm and humid air in the tropical and subtropical western Pacific, the average temperature has risen 1.31°C over the past decade, especially in Seogwipo City [9].

In this study, we collected ticks and conducted a survey on classification and population density and we determined whether any of the collected ticks were infected with the SFTS virus.

1. Period and place of tick collection

We collected ticks in the Jeju area from April to November 2018. Tombs, mountain roads, copses, and grass fields were selected as tick collection areas. In Jeju, ticks were collected once a month using tick traps, and in Seogwipo, ticks were collected in May and June using the flagging method (Table 1).

Table 1

Occurrence monitoring of ticks for environment

Survey area	Survey environment	Location	Investigation method	Time of investigation	Frequency of investigation	Remarks
Jeju-city	Glass field	33°27'20.1"N 126°34‘15.3"E	Trap & flagging	April-November (Trap) May-Jun (Flagging)	Once a month	Classification identification
	Copse	33°27‘21.2"N 126°34‘10.5"E
	Mountain road	33°26'53.2"N 126°34‘35.4"E
	Tomb	33°26'55.2"N 126°34'42.9"E

2. Classification of ticks

The collected ticks were fixed in 70% alcohol and classified by examination under the microscope (Olympus SZ61, Tokyo, Japan) according to methods of Yamaguti et al [8]. Each tick was identified as larva, nymph, or adult and adults were distinguished as male or female.

3. Detections of SFTSV in ticks

The collected ticks were treated as follows for the extraction of the SFTS RNA. Adults (N=5), nymphs (N=30), and larvae (N=50) were put into a 2 mL tube, and the tissues were homogenized twice for 20 sec at 5,000 rpm with an automatic homogenizer. The tick tissues were cooled for 5 min on ice and centrifuged for 1 min at 4°C and 13,000 rpm (13,250 RCF). After taking 140 μL of the upper layer solution and transferring it to a new 1.5 mL tube, RNA was extracted using the QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, Cat# 52906, Hilden, Germany). The solutions were stored in a freezer at −70°C. For the detection of the M-section gene, RT-PCR was performed using a primer set (5'-GATAGGATGTCCATTAA-3' and 5'-CTCATGGGGGGGGGGGGAATGTCAC-3') [10] according to the protocols of the DiaStarTM 2X One-step RT-PCR Pre-Mix (SOLGENT, Daejeon, Korea). PCR products were separated using gel electrophoresis with a 2.0% agarose gel and 0.5 mg/mL ethidium bromide (Table 2). The SFTSV gene amplification product (560 bp) was identified using the standard molecular marker, positive control (480 bp) and SFTSV received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Table 2

Conditions for RT-PCR

A. RT-PCR reaction component
Component		Volume
2X One-step RT-PCR Pre-Mix		15 μL
Primer F (10 pmol/μL)		12.5 μL
Primer R (10 pmol/μL)		1.25 μL
Template RNA		1.75 μL
RNase, DNase-Free water		1.75 μL
Total reaction volume		25 μL
B. RT-PCR reaction conditions
Temperature	Time	Number of cycle
50°C	30 min.	1 cycle
95°C	15 min.	1 cycle
95°C	20 sec.
58°C	40 sec.	35 cycles
72°C	30 sec.
72°C	5 min	1 cycles

1. Collection of ticks using a tick trap

In total, 3,090 ticks from the genus Haemaphysalis were collected using tick traps. We collected 950 ticks from grass fields (30.7%), 883 from copses (28.6%), 847 from mountain roads (27.4%), and 410 from tombs (13.3%) using tick traps (Table 3). The monthly collection results included 106 ticks in March, followed by 720 in May and 618 in June (Table 4). The tick population increased in May, then decreased for several months, and then increased again in October. Two species of ticks collected, 2,944 ticks were identified as H. longicornis and 146 were identified as H. flava (Figure 1). H. longicornis was the dominant species, making up 95.3% of the total. We collected 709 H. longicornis ticks in May and 617 in June. We collected 59 H. flava ticks in November and 29 in September (Table 4). The distribution by stage of development of the 2,944 H. longicornis collected was 610 larvae, 1,556 nymphs, and 778 adult ticks (230 males and 548 females). For H. flava, we collected 54 nymphs and 94 adult ticks (44 males and 50 females), but no larvae were observed. In May, the distribution of H. longicornis according to the collection environment was 360 ticks from copses, 244 from mountain roads, 52 from grass fields, and 53 from tombs. In June, the distribution of H. longicornis according to the collection environment was 231 ticks from grass fields, 200 from mountain roads, 163 from copses, and 24 from tombs (Table 5).

Table 3

Number of tick collected by environment using tick trap and flagging

Environment	Tick trap	Flagging	Total (%)
Glass field	950	196	1,146 (24.6)
Copse	883	704	1,587 (34.1)
Mountain road	847	472	1,319 (28.3)
Tomb	410	197	607 (13.0)
Total	3,090	1,569	4,659 (100)

Table 4

Monthly distributional studies of tick species using tick trap

Month	H. longicornis	H. flava	Total
	N (%)
Mar	85 (2.7)	21 (0.7)	106 (3.4)
Apr	246 (8.0)	23 (0.7)	269 (8.7)
May	709 (22.9)	11 (0.4)	720 (23.3)
Jun	617 (20.0)	1	618 (20.0)
Jul	404 (13.1)	1	405 (13.1)
Aug	401 (13.0)	1	402 (13.0)
Sep	35 (1.1)	29 (0.9)	64 (2.1)
Oct	141 (4.6)	0	141 (4.6)
Nov	306 (9.9)	59 (1.9)	365 (11.8)
Total	2,944 (95.3)	146 (4.7)	3,090 (100)

Abbreviation: H, Haemaphysalis.

Table 5

Monthly distributional studies of H. longicornis and H. flava based on the developmental stages collected from the four environments in Jeju

Month	Environment	Larva			Nymph			Male			Female		Tick number
		H. longicornis	H. flava		H. longicornis	H. flava		H. longicornis	H. flava		H. longicornis	H. flava
Mar	Glass field												106
	Copse				3	2					3	3
	Mountain road				32	1		4	1		3	1
	Tomb				38	8			2		2	3
Apr	Glass field				155	2		10			13		269
	Copse				4	3		1	1			4
	Mountain road				59	6			4		1	2
	Tomb				1	1					2
May	Glass field				50						2		720
	Copse				360	1
	Mountain road				200	4		15	3		29	3
	Tomb				34			5			14
Jun	Glass field				220			3			8		618
	Copse				120			10			33
	Mountain road				160			11	1		28
	Tomb				11			6			7
Jul	Glass field				13			71			6	1	405
	Copse	30			14			15			58
	Mountain road				2			11			67
	Tomb				42			22			53
Aug	Glass field	11			4			5			40		402
	Copse	110						3			12	1
	Mountain road				13			27			112
	Tomb	11						6			47
Sep	Glass field												64
	Copse				3	2			7			5
	Mountain road	28			2	4		1	4			5
	Tomb								2		1
Oct	Glass field												141
	Copse	50			1
	Mountain road
	Tomb	90
Nov	Glass field	280			13	18			10		1	14	365
	Copse				2			3	9		2	8
	Mountain road										3
	Tomb							1			1
Total		610	0		1,556	52		230	44		548	50	3,090

Fig. 1. Photograpic featutes of Ixodes spp. collected at Jeju Island in 2018. (A) H. longicornis (male), (B) H. longicornis (female), (C) H. flava (male), (D) H. flava (female), (E) H. longicornis Nymph (left) and H. flava Nymph (right).

2. Distribution of ticks collected using the flagging method

In total 1,569 ticks from the genus Haemaphysalis were collected using the flagging method. We collected 864 ticks in May and 705 ticks in June. H. longicornis was the dominant species with 1,496 individuals, making up 95.3% of the total, whereas for H. flava, we collected 73 individuals. In May, 800 H. longicornis ticks were collected, including 752 nymphs and 48 adults (10 males and 38 females). At the same time, 64 H. flava ticks were collected, including 2 larvae, 25 nymphs, 33 adults (13 males and 22 females). In June, 696 H. longicornis ticks were collected, including 2 larvae, 673 nymphs, and 21 adults (9 males and 12 females). Only nine H. flava were collected, all were female adults.

In May, the distribution of H. longicornis according to the collection environment was 361 from copses, 265 from mountain roads, 131 from grass fields, and 43 from tombs. The distribution of H. flava according to the collection environment was 32 from copses, 14 from mountain roads, and 9 from tombs and grass fields. In June, the distribution of H. longicornis according to the collection environment was 306 ticks from copses, 193 from mountain roads, 145 from tombs, and 52 from grass fields. For H. flava, the distribution was 5 ticks from copses and 4 ticks from grass fields (Table 6).

Table 6

Distributional studies of ticks based on the developmental stages collected from the four environments in Jeju

Month	Environment	H. longicornis						H. flava					Tick number
		Larva	Nymph	Male	Female	Total		Larva	Nymph	Male	Female	Total
		N (%)
May	Mountain road		262	1	2	265			6	3	5	14	279 (17.8)
	Tomb		41		2	43			6	2	1	9	52 (3.3)
	Copse		323	8	30	361			11	8	13	32	393 (25.1)
	Glass field		126	1	4	131		2	4		3	9	140 (8.9)
Jun	Mountain road		184	5	4	193							193 (12.3)
	Tomb	2	140	2	1	145							145 (9.2)
	Copse		305	1		306					5	5	311 (19.8)
	Glass field		44	1	7	52					4	4	56 (3.6)
Total		2 (0.1)	1,425 (90.8)	19 (1.2)	50 (3.2)	1,496 (95.3)		2 (0.1)	27 (1.7)	13 (0.8)	31 (2.0)	73 (4.7)	1,569 (100)

3. Monitoring of SFTSV in the collected ticks

We monitored 3,090 ticks (Trap) and 1,569 ticks (Flagging method) in pooled samples for the presence of SFTSV using RT-PCR. 235 Pools (Trap) and 129 Pools (Flagging method) consisted of 50 larvae, 30 nymphs, and 5 adult ticks per pool were set up at each collected site. All the ticks tested were confirmed to be negative for SFTSV (Figure 2).

Fig. 2. The results of amplification of SFTSV RNAs by RT-PCR from the pooling ticks collected from the four environment in Jeju city, 2018. Lane M show molecular weight marker, lane N.C, negative control; lane P.C, positive control (560 bp); lane 1∼11, PCR products from the pooling ticks.

Infectious-disease vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, are sensitive to climate change. Rising temperatures and increased precipitation may lead to increased lifespans, increased metabolic rates, and increased reproductive rates. These changes in ecological factors may result in higher incidence and greater spread of infectious diseases, emergence of new allergens, and genetic mutations [1].

Ticks are usually collected along the boundary of a forested area, a hillside with copses of trees, and burial sites. These environments provide opportunities for population growth and proliferation while using wild animals as hosts. In these situations, common infectious diseases vectored by external parasites can take hold.

When using tick traps, we collected the most ticks in grass fields, followed by copses, mountain roads, and tombs, in descending order. When using the flagging method, we collected the most ticks in copses, followed by mountain roads, tombs, and grass fields, again in descending order (Table 6). Therefore, continuous monitoring for SFTSV will be required in all collection environments. Ticks were collected monthly using tick traps. Ticks were collected in May and June using the flagging method.

Thirty-two species of ticks have been reported in Korea. In this survey, H. longicornis was the most common tick collected: 2,944 (95.3%) were collected with tick traps and 1,496 (95.3%) were collected with the flagging method. For H. flava, 146 (4.7%) were collected with tick traps and 73 (4.7%) were collected with the flagging method. In other studies, 161 (85%) H. longicornis were collected in Chungju in 2002 and 2003 [11], 158 (95.7%) were collected in Gangwon-do in 2015 [3], and 3,823 (98.8%) were collected in Jeonnam in 2016 [12], showing similar percentage patterns to this survey. It has been confirmed that H. longicornis is distributed widely not only in inland areas, but also in all parts of Korea, including Jeju Island.

Ticks consist of the steps of egg-larva-nymph-adult. When hatching from an egg, a tick becomes a larva with three pairs of legs, adhering to the host during the larval and nymph infestation period, and then molting to develop into an adult. Differences in the developmental stages occur according to the season. In the case of the widely distributed H. longicornis, larvae were collected starting in July and 132 were collected in August, 28 in September, 140 in October, and 280 in November. Nymphs showed a higher collection rate over the entire survey period compared to other stages of development, with the most collected in May and June (Table 5, 6). Adults were collected regularly from March to November, but were concentrated between May and August, showing a distinct seasonal difference. One report [12] states that ticks were collected in October (325 ticks) from the Dulle-gil of Jirisan Mountain in Jeollanam-do. Nymphs hit a record high in May, showing a much higher collection rate than the other stages of development over the entire survey period. Larvae have been reported to appear in August [11, 13]. According to another report [12], nymphs were collected intensively from April to June, and 94% of adults were collected from June to August, showing a distinct seasonal difference. Compared with these previous reports, the results of this survey are not very different. Due to the climatic characteristics of the Jeju area, collection took place as early as March and as late as November. The number of ticks collected in September dropped sharply, which is believed to be due to the heavy precipitation caused by a seasonal typhoon.

As a way to diagnose SFTSV, Yun et al [14] examined the medium segment gene, a specific gene of SFTSV, using RT PCR for H. longicornis in 189 pools, and found 18 positive pools. In a study conducted in Jeollanam-do Province in 2016, SFTSV was not detected in gene analysis using the 2X OneStep RT-PCR method with 127 pooled ticks [12]. In the present study, 3,090 ticks (235 pools) collected using tick traps and 1,569 (129 pools) collected using the flagging method were monitored for SFTSV by RT-PCR. All pools tested were confirmed to be negative. Detection of the virus in the ticks varies depending on the existence of the virus in the ticks or the titer of the virus. In the future, collection areas and collection timing should be diversified and research on detection methods that can enhance sensitivity and specificity should be developed.

제주지역의 4개 환경(초지, 잡목림, 산길, 무덤)에서 2018년 3월부터 11월까지 진드기 채집을 통하여 진드기의 분포 특성 및 SFTSV 병원체 보균 여부를 조사하였다. Tick trap을 이용해 채집된 3,095마리와 flagging을 이용하여 채집된 1,569마리를 채집하였다. 총 4,664마리의 채집된 진드기 중에서 Haemaphysalis longicornis가 4,440마리(95.2%)로 대부분을 차지하였고, H. flava는 224마리(4.8%)가 채집되었다. 환경적으로는 Tick trap은 초지(953마리), 잡목림(883마리), 산길(847마리), 무덤(411마리)가 채집되었고, flagging은 잡목림(704마리), 산길(472마리), 무덤(197마리), 초지(196마리)가 채집되었다. 발육단계별로는 유충은 5월부터 채집되어 10월에 140마리, 11월에 280마리가 채집되었다. 약충은 4월부터 8월에 집중적으로 채집(2,978마리)되었고, 5월과 6월에 가장 많이 채집되었다. 성충은 6월부터 8월까지 전체 성충 중 94%가 채집되었다. 채집된 H. longicornis 4,440마리와 H. flava 224마리에서 SFTSV는 확인되지 않았다.

This study was supported by fund (code: 4851-304) of the Korea Centers for Disease Control.

None

Chung KA, Professor; Song HJ, Professor; Lee HJ, Professor; Park C, Professor; Seo MY, Professor.