Beijing researchers identify ALTNV, a new tick-borne virus causing flu-like illness
Beijing researchers identified Asian longhorned tick nairovirus (ALTNV), a new orthonairovirus transmitted by ticks that causes an influenza-like illness with fever, fatigue, GI symptoms, and abnormal liver tests. In a study of 3,163 patients, ALTNV was found in 10.4% of DBV-negative patients (15.1% among those negative for Dabie bandavirus), often presenting with fatigue, GI problems, thrombocytopenia, and elevated aminotransferases; coinfection with DBV was linked to more respiratory symptoms and kidney impairment, with 7 deaths in coinfected cases. ALTNV RNA was detected in 1.3% of ticks, especially Haemaphysalis longicornis, which can transmit the virus to mice. The virus is genetically distinct among orthonairoviruses and underscores the need for differential diagnosis in regions where SFTS is endemic.