Wednesday, January 25, 2023
News on Pathogens and Preparedness
Global Biodefense
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Global Biodefense
No Result
View All Result
Home Biosurveillance

New Virus Discovered in Swiss Ticks

by Global Biodefense Staff
December 7, 2022
New Virus Discovered in Swiss Ticks

Credit: CDC

Alongshan virus was first discovered in China in 2017. Researchers from the University of Zurich have now detected the new virus in Swiss ticks for the first time. It appears to be at least as common as tick-borne encephalitis virus and results in similar symptoms. The team is currently developing a diagnostic test to clarify the epidemiological situation.

Ticks can transmit many different pathogens – such as viruses, bacteria and parasites. Of particular importance is tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), which can cause inflammation of the brain and meninges, as well as bacteria that can lead to the infectious disease Lyme disease. And the list of pathogens is constantly increasing, also in Switzerland: Researchers at the Institute of Virology at the University of Zurich (UZH) have now detected the so-called Alongshan virus (ALSV) in ticks in Switzerland for the first time.

Alongshan Virus Found in Numerous Tick Samples

Like the TBE virus, the ALS virus belongs to the flavivirus family and was first discovered in China in 2017. Several patients suffered from fever and headaches after a tick bite – the typical symptoms at the beginning of an infection with TBE viruses. However, antibodies against the virus or its genetic material could not be detected in any of those affected. Instead, the researchers found a previously unknown RNA virus: the Alongshan virus.

The researchers found the complete gene sequence of the ALS virus in numerous tick samples collected in several regions of Switzerland in 2021 and 2022. “We were amazed that we were able to detect ALS viruses far more frequently in the tick samples than TBE viruses,” says Cornel Fraefel, Director of the Institute of Virology. Since the symptoms of an infection with ALS viruses are similar to those of infection with TBE viruses, the Alongshan virus could already be relevant to public health in Switzerland – albeit undetected.

Diagnostic Blood Test is Under Development

In contrast to the TBE virus, there is currently neither a vaccination nor a detection method for the ALS virus. “After we identified the new virus and published the complete viral genome sequence, our team is now developing a serological test to detect ALS virus infections in patient blood,” says Fraefel. In cooperation with the National Reference Laboratory for Tick-borne Diseases and the Spiez Laboratory, the researchers want to investigate the epidemiological situation of ALS viruses in Switzerland next year.

Complete Genome Sequence of Alongshan Virus sequenced from Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Switzerland. Zenodo, 6 December 2022.

Tags: Alongshan VirusFlavivirusTick-Borne Diseases

Related Posts

Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions
Pathogens

Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

January 25, 2023
DARPA Selects Teams to Develop Vaccine Durability Prediction Model
Medical Countermeasures

DARPA Selects Teams to Develop Vaccine Durability Prediction Model

January 13, 2023
The device appears smaller than a playing card, transparent, with visible channels branching off.
Medical Countermeasures

How Organ-on-a-chip Models Could Grease the Drug Development Pipeline

January 10, 2023
Bat Virus Receptor Studies Vital to Predict Spillover Risk
Pathogens

Bat Virus Receptor Studies Vital to Predict Spillover Risk

December 7, 2022
Load More

Latest News

Partner Therapeutics’ Novel Approach to Stratify Sepsis Patients Gains Backing From BARDA

Biopreparedness Research Virtual Environment (BRaVE) Initiative Backed by $105M DOE Funding

January 25, 2023
Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

January 25, 2023
Biodefense Headlines – 24 January 2023

Biodefense Headlines – 24 January 2023

January 24, 2023
Biodefense Headlines – 17 January 2023

Biodefense Headlines – 17 January 2023

January 17, 2023

Subscribe

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC