Epidemiological surveys revealed the risk of TAMV spill-over from ticks to hosts

Tick-borne viral diseases have become an increasingly important public health concern. Tamdy virus (TAMV) is a tick-borne virus of the genus <i>Orthonairovirus</i> in the family <i>Nairoviridae</i>. While some studies have suggested that TAMV is a pathogen associated with human febrile illness, its epidemiology and the risk of TAMV spill-over remain poorly understood. Ticks were collected in Xinjiang, China, and grouped into pools. RT-PCR assays were used to detect TAMV RNA in these pools. The seroprevalence of TAMV was investigated using Immunofluorescence assays, Western blotting, and Luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assays. TAMV RNA was detected in 17 out of 363 tick pools, resulting in a minimum infection rate (MIR) of 4.7%. <i>Hyalomma asiaticum</i> and <i>Dermacentor nuttalli</i> were identified as major tick vectors of TAMV. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that TAMV strains from Xinjiang are closely related to strains from other countries. Seroprevalence studies showed that TAMV exposure has been occurring in Xinjiang since at least 2006. Antibody responses to TAMV were detected in 1.1% (26/2296) of animals, including domestic animals and wild rodents. The seropositivity rates were as follows: sheep (1.7%), dog (2.3%), <i>Marmota monax</i> (0.8%), <i>Meriones meridianus</i> (3.5%). The research findings reveal that TAMV can be transmitted by ticks to various animal species, posing a significant public health risk. The wide distribution of TAMV and its tick vectors emphasise the importance of early preparedness and control measures. This study highlights the necessity for maintaining vigilance in addressing emerging zoonotic diseases transmitted by ticks.

蜱传病毒性疾病已成为日益受到重视的公共卫生问题。塔姆迪病毒（Tamdy virus, TAMV）是内罗病毒科（Nairoviridae）正内罗病毒属（Orthonairovirus）的蜱传病毒。尽管已有研究表明TAMV是与人类发热性疾病相关的病原体，但其流行病学特征及跨种溢出风险仍鲜为人知。
研究人员在中国新疆采集蜱样本，并将其混编为样本池。采用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测各样本池中的TAMV核糖核酸（RNA）；同时通过免疫荧光试验、蛋白质印迹法及荧光素酶免疫沉淀系统（LIPS）开展TAMV血清流行率调查。
363个蜱样本池中共有17个检测出TAMV RNA，最低感染率（MIR）为4.7%。研究鉴定出亚洲璃眼蜱（Hyalomma asiaticum）与草原革蜱（Dermacentor nuttalli）为TAMV的主要蜱传媒介。系统发育分析显示，新疆地区分离的TAMV毒株与其他国家的毒株亲缘关系密切。血清流行病学调查结果表明，至少自2006年起，新疆地区便存在TAMV暴露情况。
在2296只受试动物（涵盖家畜与野生啮齿类）中，1.1%（26/2296）的个体检测出TAMV抗体阳性反应。各物种血清阳性率分别为：绵羊1.7%、犬2.3%、美洲旱獭（Marmota monax）0.8%、长爪沙鼠（Meriones meridianus）3.5%。
本研究结果表明，TAMV可通过蜱媒传播至多种动物物种，构成显著的公共卫生风险。TAMV及其蜱传媒介的广泛分布凸显了早期应急准备与防控措施的重要性。本研究同时强调，需持续保持警惕以应对蜱传新发人畜共患病。