Scientists in China have identified a new virus transmitted through tick bites, named Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV), with infections confirmed in four provinces including Hubei, home to the city of Wuhan. The findings were reported by the Daily Mail, citing research by Chinese scientists.
According to the report, researchers in Beijing began investigating after noticing patients with unexplained fever following tick bites. Their concern grew because the symptoms resembled other dangerous tick-borne infections, including dabie bandavirus (DBV), also known as severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
How the virus was discovered
The scientists analysed samples from 3,163 people across four provinces: Henan, Hubei, Anhui and Shandong. ALTNV was detected in 329 patients, or 10.4% of those examined. Researchers said the earliest recorded case of infection with the virus dated back to 2009.
Among patients infected only with ALTNV for whom detailed symptom data was available, severe fatigue following fever was the most common symptom, affecting 84% of people. Gastrointestinal problems occurred in 80% of cases. Thrombocytopenia, a drop in platelet count that can lead to internal bleeding in severe cases, was recorded in 38% of patients.
Co-infection cases proved more severe
Researchers paid particular attention to cases where patients were infected with both ALTNV and DBV at the same time. The study found 38 patients had both infections, of whom seven died, a rate of 18.4%. These patients were more likely to develop severe symptoms, including breathing difficulties and kidney dysfunction.
The scientists then sought to identify the virus's likely carrier. They examined roughly 47,000 ticks collected across 15 Chinese provinces. ALTNV was found in 1.3% of all ticks tested, and in 1.75% of Asian longhorned ticks specifically.
Laboratory experiments also showed that Asian longhorned ticks were capable of transmitting the virus to mice. Researchers said this pointed to a potential route for transmission of ALTNV to humans.
Spread beyond China unclear
The report noted that it remains unknown whether the new virus circulates outside China. The question has drawn added attention because of the spread of its likely carrier. The Asian longhorned tick was first detected in the United States in November 2017, in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, and has since been found in a number of other states.
The study's authors stressed that the presence of the tick in the United States does not by itself mean ALTNV is present there.
There is currently no specific treatment for either ALTNV or DBV. Patients with DBV are typically treated with intravenous therapy and blood transfusions. Researchers said many questions remain unanswered, including whether the number of ALTNV cases in China is increasing and which specific tick species bit the infected patients.
