New Tick-Borne Virus Identified in China

Molecular and antibody assays identified ALTNV in patients with fever after tick exposure

October 19, 2026
3 min

The Pathologist

At a Glance

Category	Detail
Condition	Clinical topic addressed by the source article: New Tick-Borne Virus Identified in China
Key Mechanisms	ALTNV is a distinct orthonairovirus. Laboratory experiments showed that the Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) could transmit the virus to mice.
Target Population	Patients or participants described in the source article.
Care Setting	Care setting described in the source article.

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.