Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered a new virus in Swiss ticks. This was discovered in China in 2017. It appears to be widespread and leads to symptoms similar to those of the well-known tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). A diagnostic test is now being developed.
Ticks can transmit many different pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria or parasites. The University of Zurich announced on Wednesday that the list of pathogens is constantly increasing. In addition to the TBE virus, which can cause inflammation of the brain and meninges, the bacteria in particular are known to cause Lyme disease.
The so-called Alongshan virus (ALSV) has now been found in ticks for the first time in Switzerland. This belongs to the same family as the TBE virus. It was discovered in China when several patients developed a fever and headache after being bitten by a tick.
These are the typical symptoms of a TBE infection, but none of those affected could demonstrate antibodies against this known virus. Instead, the researchers found a previously unknown RNA virus: the Alongshan virus.
Researchers from the Institute of Virology at the University of Zurich examined tick samples collected in 2021 and 2022 from different regions of Switzerland. “We were surprised that we were able to detect ALS viruses much more frequently in the tick samples than TBE viruses,” Cornel Fraefel, director of the Institute of Virology, said in the statement.
Although the new virus previously went undetected, it could already be relevant for public health in Switzerland. However, there is currently no vaccination or detection method for this, as is the case with the TBE virus.
That is why the researchers from Zurich are now developing a serological test that can be used to detect ALS virus infections in the blood of patients. In the coming year, they also want to investigate the epidemiological situation of ALS viruses in Switzerland together with the National Reference Laboratory for Tick-Transmitted Diseases and the Spiez Laboratory.
(dsc/sda)
source: watson
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