🧬 Brief Scientific Summary
Scientists in China have discovered a new virus transmitted by ticks that causes a flu-like illness including fever, fatigue, and gastrointestinal problems. The virus was named Asian Longhorned Tick Nairovirus (ALTNV) and belongs to the genus orthonairovirus. The study showed that the virus is common in certain areas, and it may be difficult to distinguish it from another virus that causes a serious disease known as Dabie bandavirus (DBV). It was found that cases infected with the new virus improved well, while complications increased when both viruses were present together.
🧠 Discovery of a New Virus Explains the Causes of Mysterious Diseases
As part of the search for the causes of mysterious diseases caused by tick bites, a team of researchers in China, led by a national laboratory specializing in pathogen and biosafety science in Beijing, was able to identify a previously unknown virus. This virus was named Asian Longhorned Tick Nairovirus (ALTNV).
The study aimed to explain why more than 30% of cases showing symptoms similar to those caused by Dabie bandavirus (DBV) were negative on tests designed for this virus. DBV is known to cause severe fever with thrombocytopenia, a disease that can be fatal in 10% to 30% of cases.
🧪 The Virus and Differential Diagnosis
Using advanced techniques including RNA sequencing and virus isolation, the researchers were able to identify the presence of ALTNV in samples from tick-bitten patients in regions known for the spread of related viruses. The geographic location and sharing the same vector as DBV increase the importance of distinguishing between infection with these two viruses in order to provide an accurate diagnosis.
The characteristics of ALTNV were confirmed through genetic analyses showing that its proteins differ by more than 20% from similar viruses of the same genus, which confirms its distinction as an independent virus.
🧠 Virus Growth in Cells and Its Distribution
Laboratory experiments showed that ALTNV is capable of replicating in cultured human cells when exposed to serum from infected patients. Electron microscopy showed that the virus’s shape matches that of orthonairoviruses.
In addition, the study showed that the virus can replicate in different types of cells, indicating its ability to spread infection and its potential effect on the body.
🩺 Virus Prevalence Among Patients
The study included screening 3163 patients, and found that 10.4% of them were positive for ALTNV based on the presence of viral RNA or the presence of immunoglobulin M antibodies, which indicate a recent infection.
In the group that was negative for DBV, the rate rose to 15.1%, indicating that the new virus is an important cause in those mysterious cases.
🌱 Symptoms and Clinical Features of Cases Infected Only with ALTNV
The focus was on the clinical signs that appeared in patients infected with this virus only, and they were as follows:
- Chronic fatigue was diagnosed in 84% of cases.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms appeared in 80% of patients, reflecting a visible effect on digestion.
- 38% of them were infected with thrombocytopenia, meaning a low platelet count, but it was less severe compared with DBV.
- An increase in aminotransferase enzymes was observed in 36%, an indicator of inflammation or injury in the liver or other tissues.
Patients who were infected with ALTNV only recovered fully without fatal complications.
🩺 Complications in Coinfection
38 cases infected with both viruses were observed. These cases showed an increase in respiratory symptoms, affecting 61% compared with 38% in cases infected with DBV only.
Kidney problems were also more common, reaching 84% compared with 66% in cases infected with DBV alone. The last three items (respiratory symptoms, kidney problems, and deaths) confirm that coinfection increases disease severity.
The coinfection led to the death of 7 patients, a rate of 18.4% in that group, compared with lower rates in cases infected with only one virus.
🧬 Virus Spread and Transmission Through Ticks
The researchers examined 47,428 ticks collected from 15 Chinese provinces, and found that 1.3% of them carried ALTNV RNA. The highest infection rates were found in the tick species known as Haemaphysalis longicornis, or the Asian longhorned tick, where the rate reached 1.8%.
It was also proven that this tick species can transmit the virus to mice in laboratory experiments, confirming its role as a vector of the virus between living organisms, including humans.
🩺 The Importance of Differential Diagnosis and Improved Surveillance
Both ALTNV and DBV occur in the same geographic areas and share the same tick vector, which complicates medical diagnosis.
This discovery confirms the urgent need to improve differential diagnostic methods between these two viruses in areas where severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is prevalent, in order to achieve a better understanding and choose appropriate management strategies for each case.
🧠 Scientific Conclusion and Future Outlook
The discovery of this new virus, ALTNV, enhances our understanding of tick-borne diseases that remained unknown or only suspected previously. Although the disease caused by ALTNV appears less lethal than DBV, coinfection may lead to serious complications and an increase in the death rate.
The focus remains on developing highly sensitive and accurate analytical methods to isolate and identify types of viral infection, which is vital to help improve patient care and reduce the impact of these tick-borne diseases.
Ultimately, it should be noted that monitoring the presence of this virus among humans and animals, in addition to tracking the spread of the transmitting ticks, is necessary to reduce future health risks associated with these viruses.
📚 Related articles
Discover more from Mohdbali
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
