Scientists in China have identified a completely new virus transmitted by ticks. The infection resembles influenza and causes patients to develop high fever, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and laboratory abnormalities. A team of researchers from the Beijing Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosafety identified the new orthonairovirus and named it the “Asian Longhorned Tick Nairovirus” (ALTNV).
The discovery was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists began the study after 30% of patients with symptoms of Dabie bandavirus (DBV) tested negative. DBV is widespread in Asia, causes high fever, and is fatal in 10–30% of cases.
The researchers collected samples from patients with tick bites across several provinces in China. Using RNA sequencing, they precisely identified the new virus. Of the 3,163 patients examined, 10.4% tested positive for ALTNV. Moreover, the virus was detected in 15.1% of people who had tested negative for DBV.
Patients infected only with ALTNV mainly reported fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, low platelet counts, and liver inflammation. According to doctors, these patients made a full recovery. However, when both viruses are present simultaneously, the risks increase significantly. Among 38 co-infected patients, researchers recorded severe respiratory and kidney problems, and seven of them died.
To determine the virus’s geographic distribution, the scientists examined more than 47,000 ticks across 15 provinces. ALTNV RNA was detected in the highest quantities in ticks of the Haemaphysalis longicornis species. The researchers conclude that the simultaneous circulation of the two viruses in the region requires an urgent improvement in diagnostic methods.
