Researchers in China have uncovered a new tick-borne virus that can lead to flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues, as outlined in a recent study.
The newly identified virus, named the Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV), belongs to the orthonairovirus family. It may also result in thrombocytopenia, which is a decrease in blood platelet count, as well as indications of liver cell damage or inflammation in lab tests.
Since 2009, scientists in China have monitored patients with rare health conditions, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). Dr. Sharon Nachman, head of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital in New York, mentioned that “thrombocytopenia means low platelet count, so those patients experienced bleeding with about a 30% mortality rate, which is quite significant.”
Many cases were associated with Dabie bandavirus (DBV), a tick-related hemorrhagic fever, although it wasn’t the predominant virus seen.
Through extensive analysis of blood samples and viral segments, researchers pinpointed ALTNV, which is genetically different from DBV.
Researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity in Beijing detected the virus in 10.4% of 3,163 patients who had tick bites.
Patients who contracted both ALTNV and DBV showed a higher tendency toward respiratory problems and kidney issues, with seven (18.4%) of them succumbing during the study period.
“The coexistence of ALTNV and DBV in similar regions, along with their shared tick vector, highlights the necessity for better diagnosis of these infections in SFTS-endemic areas,” the research team concluded.
The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine this week.
“In general, ticks carry many viruses,” Nachman stated. “We are getting better at recognizing these viruses. If one blood sample doesn’t show anything, it’s crucial to consider that perhaps a new virus was present, and we should search for it.”
Symptoms and Treatment
Infections from ALTNV can first present similarly to the flu, leading to fever, muscle pain, fatigue, and sometimes respiratory symptoms.
Although ALTNV can cause low platelet counts, the study did not conclusively associate the virus with severe bleeding or fatalities by itself. The deadly cases involved patients who were also infected with DBV, known for causing severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
Given that symptoms of tick-borne viruses can overlap, Nachman stressed the need to identify the specific virus involved.
“There are effective antivirals for flu, but unfortunately, none exist for many tick-borne viruses, including this newly identified one,” she remarked.
Most patients receive supportive care to manage their symptoms, but as Nachman pointed out, “it’s also important to avoid administering the wrong medication. Antibiotics are only effective for bacterial infections, not viral ones.”
Preventing Tick Bites
Nachman offered some recommendations for families aiming to steer clear of tick bites.
“Wearing appropriate clothing, like long pants tucked into socks, and applying tick repellents on skin if you’re an adult or on clothing for young children, is advisable,” she suggested.
It’s also vital to check for ticks on the skin.
“The longer a tick stays on your skin and the more it feeds, the higher the chance it will transmit an infection,” Nachman cautioned. “Therefore, removing them promptly after activities like hiking or beach walking is crucial.”
While the Asian longhorn tick hasn’t been reported in the U.S. yet, Nachman mentioned that there are “plenty of other ticks out there, and they can spread different diseases.”
“I wouldn’t say one tick is worse than another,” she added. “It really depends on the diseases they carry and individual circumstances.”
“For instance, a healthy adult who contracts babesiosis may recover without treatment, but if an individual is immunocompromised, they might become quite ill.”
“Ultimately, it’s not just about the ticks but also about the person. What’s your health status? Do you have any underlying conditions? How old are you, and how healthy are you?”
