Clinical Scorecard: New Tick-Borne Virus Identified in China

At a Glance

Key Highlights

• ALTNV was identified in patients with suspected severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) who tested negative for Dabie bandavirus (DBV).
• Among 3,163 patients with fever and recent tick exposure, 10.4% had ALTNV RNA or immunoglobulin M antibodies; among DBV-negative patients, 15.1% had evidence of ALTNV infection.
• Among 56 patients infected only with ALTNV, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms were common; all recovered without reported lasting complications.
• Coinfected patients had more frequent respiratory symptoms and kidney impairment than patients with DBV alone, but the study could not determine whether ALTNV contributed to greater severity.
• ALTNV RNA was detected in 1.29% of 47,428 ticks sampled across 15 provinces; laboratory experiments showed transmission to mice by H. longicornis.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

• In the study, laboratory confirmation required positive results from two reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays targeting different genomic regions, followed by further PCR testing and Sanger sequencing.
• The study used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect ALTNV immunoglobulin M.
• The authors state that further assay validation is required to establish diagnostic performance.

Management

Monitoring & Follow-up

Risks

• ALTNV and DBV occur in the same regions and can produce similar clinical findings; the source states that specific molecular and antibody tests may be needed to distinguish them.
• Seven patients coinfected with ALTNV and DBV died; the study could not determine whether ALTNV contributed to greater disease severity.

Patient & Prescribing Data

The study screened 3,163 patients with fever and recent tick exposure. It described 56 patients with ALTNV-only infection and 38 with ALTNV and DBV coinfection.

The article reports no treatment regimen. All 56 patients with ALTNV-only infection recovered without reported lasting complications.

Clinical Best Practices

• The study identified ALTNV in patients with fever and recent tick exposure, including patients who tested negative for DBV.
• The source states that specific molecular and antibody tests may be needed to distinguish ALTNV from DBV; further assay validation is required.

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