Epidemiological Study of Thogoto and Dhori Virus Infection in People Bitten by Ticks, and in Sheep, in an Area of Northern Spain.

Lourdes Lledó,María Isabel Gegúndez,Consuelo Giménez-Pardo

doi:10.3390/ijerph17072254

Lourdes Lledó, María Isabel Gegúndez + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072254

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Abstract

There is little information on Thogoto virus (THOV) and Dhori virus (DHOV)infection in Spain. A total of 283 serum samples from 150 human subjects (78 males, 72 females) bitten by ticks, as well as samples from 120 sheep (one per animal), were studied by immunofluorescence assay. All human and animal subjects were from the province of Palencia in northern Spain. Eight human subjects had antibodies against THOV (seroprevalence: 5.3%) and six had antibodies against DHOV (seroprevalence: 4%); titers ranged between 1/32–1/256 and 1/32–1/128, respectively. No significant differences were seen in seroprevalence in terms of gender or age, although people with antibodies were significantly more likely to have had contact with livestock for professional reasons. One subject with an acute infection had IgM antibodies to both viruses and seroconverted to IgG. For the sheep, 24 serum samples were positive for antibodies to THOV (seroprevalence: 20%) and 32 for antibodies to DHOV (seroprevalence: 26.8%); titers ranged between 1/16 and 1/128. The seroprevalence of both viruses was significantly higher in animals < 4 years of age. Together, these results reveal the circulation of DHOV and THOV in humans and sheep in the province of Palencia. Sheep might be used as indicators of the presence of these organisms.

Highlights

Ticks can transmit viruses responsible for severe emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases—some with a significant impact on public health
(Family: Orthomyxoviridae; Genus: Thogotovirus) are both transmitted by ticks to humans, and occasionally cause problems ranging from benign febrile symptoms to meningoencephalitis [1]
Eight of the human subjects showed IgG antibodies against Thogoto virus (THOV)

Summary

Introduction

Ticks can transmit viruses responsible for severe emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases—some with a significant impact on public health. Ticks can transmit viruses responsible for severe emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Thogoto virus (THOV) and Dhori virus (DHOV). THOV was recorded as the possible agent responsible for the death of a man in Kansas who had a history of tick bites. After suffering fever and fatigue for 11 days, he died due to multiorgan failure [2]. DHOV has been detected in laboratory workers in Russia who were accidentally infected via an aerosol during culture preparation; they developed a fever that lasted for 2–4 days, which was probably associated with an encephalitic reaction [3]. Some authors suggest that both viruses are transmitted from person to person [4], but so far there has been no evidence to substantiate this

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