A growing number of emerging and re-emerging tick-borne orthonairoviruses belonging to the Sulina and Tamdy genogroups have recently been identified in association with febrile diseases in East Asia. Yezo virus (YEZV) is one such viruses and is genetically distinct from well-characterized Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Orthonairovirus glycoproteins (Gn and Gc) expressed from a single glycoprotein precursor (GPC) gene mediate interaction with host cells, yet the organization and functions of the YEZV glycoproteins remain largely undefined. To characterize YEZV glycoproteins in the context of infection, we developed a reverse genetics system that enables recovery of recombinant YEZV entirely from cloned cDNAs. The recombinant wild-type virus exhibited growth properties comparable to those of the parental isolate in vitro and maintained pathogenicity in vivo. Proteomic analysis of purified virus particles produced in mammalian cells showed that peptide coverage of GPC-derived products began at residue 69. We therefore used the reverse genetics system to examine the functional importance of the GPC subregion upstream of residue 69. A mutant with a deletion of GPC residues 28 to 68 (rYEZV GPC{Delta}28-68), which retained the predicted signal peptide, was successfully recovered, suggesting that this subregion is dispensable for producing infectious virus. rYEZV GPC{Delta}28-68 propagated at levels comparable to those of the wild-type virus in mammalian cells and exhibited similar pathogenicity in a mouse model. Interestingly, the mutant reached lower viral titers in tick-derived ISE6 cells and in ticks in vivo, suggesting that this N-terminal subregion may contribute to virus replication in ticks. Together, these findings demonstrate the utility of the newly established reverse genetics system for dissecting the functions of the YEZV glycoproteins in mammalian and tick systems.

A growing number of emerging and re-emerging tick-borne orthonairoviruses belonging to the Sulina and Tamdy genogroups have recently been identified in association with febrile diseases in East Asia. Yezo virus (YEZV) is one such viruses and is genetically distinct from well-characterized Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. Orthonairovirus glycoproteins (Gn and Gc) expressed from a single glycoprotein precursor (GPC) gene mediate interaction with host cells, yet the organization and functions of the YEZV glycoproteins remain largely undefined. To characterize YEZV glycoproteins in the context of infection, we developed a reverse genetics system that enables recovery of recombinant YEZV entirely from cloned cDNAs. The recombinant wild-type virus exhibited growth properties comparable to those of the parental isolate in vitro and maintained pathogenicity in vivo. Proteomic analysis of purified virus particles produced in mammalian cells showed that peptide coverage of GPC-derived products began at residue 69. We therefore used the reverse genetics system to examine the functional importance of the GPC subregion upstream of residue 69. A mutant with a deletion of GPC residues 28 to 68 (rYEZV GPC{Delta}28-68), which retained the predicted signal peptide, was successfully recovered, suggesting that this subregion is dispensable for producing infectious virus. rYEZV GPC{Delta}28-68 propagated at levels comparable to those of the wild-type virus in mammalian cells and exhibited similar pathogenicity in a mouse model. Interestingly, the mutant reached lower viral titers in tick-derived ISE6 cells and in ticks in vivo, suggesting that this N-terminal subregion may contribute to virus replication in ticks. Together, these findings demonstrate the utility of the newly established reverse genetics system for dissecting the functions of the YEZV glycoproteins in mammalian and tick systems.

Researchers led by the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity in Beijing have named the newly identified orthonairovirus Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV). The discovery, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, grew out of efforts to understand why about 30% of patients with symptoms suggestive of Dabie bandavirus (DBV) infection test negative for the tick-borne hemorrhagic fever. A Search for the Cause of Unexplained Tick Illness DBV causes severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a potentially deadly disease found across Asia. The infection has a case-fatality rate of 10% to 30%. Thrombocytopenia refers to an abnormally low level of platelets, the blood cells involved in clotting. The World Health Organization has identified DBV as a priority pathogen for research. To investigate unexplained cases, researchers collected samples from people who had been bitten by ticks and were treated at sentinel hospitals in regions of China where tick-borne viruses are known to circulate. Using RNA sequencing and viral isolation, the team detected the previously unknown virus. "The cocirculation of ALTNV and DBV in the same areas, coupled with their shared tick vector, underscores the need for improved differential diagnosis between infections with these viruses in regions where SFTS is...

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a widely distributed tick-borne orthonairovirus and an important public health threat across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. This narrati...

Newly recognized human-associated orthonairoviruses are emerging across East Asia, yet their pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly defined. Wang et al. reveal how Wetland virus converges on caspase-3–gasdermin E pyroptosis and fatty acid synthase-dependent hepatic lipid accumulation Wang and colleagues, linking cell death to metabolic injury and exposing major gaps in pathogenesis and host-directed therapy.

A new pathogenic orthonairovirus was identified in patients with a febrile illness in China. This virus was found in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in the same region.

Scientists in China have identified a novel tick-borne virus that causes an influenza-like illness characterized by fever, fatigue, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and abnormal lab findings. The team, led by researchers from the State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity in Beijing, has designated the new orthonairovirus as the Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV).

Ticks are among the most important arthropod vectors affecting human and animal health worldwide. We present a set of globally harmonized indicators integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability associated with human-biting ticks and with two major tick-borne pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Lyme borreliosis), and Orthonairovirus haemorrhagiae (Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, CCHFV). Hazard indices were derived from the distributions of confirmed vector tick species. Exposure was incorporated through rural human population density, livestock density, and the abundance of competent vertebrate reservoirs and/or amplification hosts, as applicable. Vulnerability was assessed using country-level indicators related to healthcare accessibility, socioeconomic development, and demographic dependency. The indices show spatially structured global patterns. Tick hazard is concentrated in eastern North America, Europe, Central and East Asia; Africa displays fragmented but substantial hotspots. The B. burgdorferi s.l. index is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere, following the distribution of Ixodes spp. and associated reservoir communities, with highest exposure in Europe and North America. The CCHFV index is confined to the Old World, extending from the Mediterranean region through the Middle East and Central Asia into Sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting the distribution of Hyalomma ticks and ungulates. The vulnerability indicators highlight regional patterns of high exposure and limited adaptive capacity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East. Our framework provides the first global set of harmonized, high-resolution indices integrating vector ecology, reservoir communities, exposure, and vulnerability for major tick-borne diseases of humans. It offers a flexible platform for comparative epidemiology, surveillance prioritization, and public health decision-making at multiple administrative scales.

Chinese researchers working with collaborators in the United States have identified a previously unrecognized tick-borne virus that appears to be responsible for hundreds of febrile illnesses in China. Named Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV), the pathogen belongs to the Orthonairovirus genus and was detected during surveillance of people who developed fever after tick exposure. Scienti...

Chinese researchers working with collaborators in the United States have identified a previously unrecognized tick-borne virus that appears to be responsible for hundreds of febrile illnesses in China. Named Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV), the pathogen belongs to the Orthonairovirus genus and was detected during surveillance of people who developed fever after tick exposure. Scienti...

Ticks are among the most important arthropod vectors affecting human and animal health worldwide. We present a set of globally harmonized indicators integrating hazard, exposure, and vulnerability associated with human-biting ticks and with two major tick-borne pathogens, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Lyme borreliosis), and Orthonairovirus haemorrhagiae (Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, CCHFV). Hazard indices were derived from the distributions of confirmed vector tick species. Exposure was incorporated through rural human population density, livestock density, and the abundance of competent vertebrate reservoirs and/or amplification hosts, as applicable. Vulnerability was assessed using country-level indicators related to healthcare accessibility, socioeconomic development, and demographic dependency. The indices show spatially structured global patterns. Tick hazard is concentrated in eastern North America, Europe, Central and East Asia; Africa displays fragmented but substantial hotspots. The B. burgdorferi s.l. index is restricted to the Northern Hemisphere, following the distribution of Ixodes spp. and associated reservoir communities, with highest exposure in Europe and North America. The CCHFV index is confined to the Old World, extending from the Mediterranean region through the Middle East and Central Asia into Sub-Saharan Africa, reflecting the distribution of Hyalomma ticks and ungulates. The vulnerability indicators highlight regional patterns of high exposure and limited adaptive capacity, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East. Our framework provides the first global set of harmonized, high-resolution indices integrating vector ecology, reservoir communities, exposure, and vulnerability for major tick-borne diseases of humans. It offers a flexible platform for comparative epidemiology, surveillance prioritization, and public health decision-making at multiple administrative scales.

Scientists in China have identified a previously unknown tick-borne virus that can cause flu-like illness, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms, according to a new study.The newly discovered virus, the Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV) — which is part of the orthonairovirus group — has also been found to cause thrombocytopenia (reduced blood platelet counts) and laboratory evidence of liver-cell injury or inflammation.Since 2009, Chinese researchers have been tracking patients with unusual illnesses, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), according to Dr.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Scientists in China have identified a previously unknown tick-borne virus that can cause flu-like illness, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms, according to a new study. The newly discovered virus, the Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV) — which is part of the orthonairovirus group — has also been found to cause thrombocytopenia (reduced blood platelet counts) and laboratory evidence of liver-cell injury or inflammation.

A new pathogenic orthonairovirus was identified in patients with a febrile illness in China. This virus was found in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in the same region.

A new pathogenic orthonairovirus was identified in patients with a febrile illness in China. This virus was found in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in the same region.

A new pathogenic orthonairovirus was identified in patients with a febrile illness in China. This virus was found in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in the same region.

A new pathogenic orthonairovirus was identified in patients with a febrile illness in China. This virus was found in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in the same region.