Chinese Researchers Identify New Tick-Borne Virus in 10.4% of 3,163 Patients
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 4
Chinese Researchers Identify New Tick-Borne Virus in 10.4% of 3,163 Patients
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 4
Summary
10.4% of 3,163 tick-bitten patients in China tested positive for the newly identified Asian longhorned tick nairovirus, or ALTNV, according to a study published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Researchers found ALTNV after tracking unusual tick-linked illnesses since 2009 and determined it is genetically distinct from Dabie bandavirus, the better-known cause of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.
ALTNV can cause flu-like illness, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, low platelet counts and signs of liver injury, but the study did not tie ALTNV alone to severe bleeding or death.
Seven coinfected patients died during the study, and patients carrying both ALTNV and Dabie bandavirus were more likely to develop respiratory problems and kidney complications.
The overlap of ALTNV and Dabie bandavirus in the same tick-endemic areas highlights the need for better differential diagnosis, while prevention still centers on avoiding tick bites and removing ticks quickly.