Advances in CRISPR-based detection technologies for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (Dabiebanda virus): A mini review

Abstract

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute infectious disease caused by the Dabiebanda virus, also referred to as the SFTS virus (SFTSV). Primarily transmitted via tick bites, SFTS occurs sporadically in East Asia and poses a serious threat to human health, with a reported mortality rate of up to 30%. In 2018, the World Health Organization designated SFTSV infection as a priority disease requiring urgent research and therapeutic development. In recent years, the prevalence range of this virus has shown a tendency to expand gradually. Rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of SFTSV is therefore essential for effective disease prevention and control. The CRISPR-Cas system has emerged as a promising molecular diagnostic technology. By employing specifically designed guide RNAs (such as sgRNA or crRNA) to direct Cas proteins for targeted nucleic acid recognition and cleavage, it offers superior sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional detection methods. This approach has been increasingly applied in SFTS diagnosis. Despite its significant advantages over traditional techniques, challenges remain in terms of technical stability, cost-effectiveness, and integration with existing diagnostic platforms. This mini review highlights recent advances in CRISPR-based detection of SFTSV and discusses its potential to enable rapid diagnosis and support precise disease management.