Diversity of the Alongshan Virus in Ixodes Ticks Collected in the Russian Federation in 2023

A novel flavi-like virus with a segmented genome-Alongshan virus (ALSV)-has been isolated from Ixodes ticks in Russia. In this study, 4458 ixodid ticks collected in 22 regions of Russia were tested for genetic markers of ALSV by RT PCR. The highest rates of ALSV infection in ticks were detected in the Republic of Khakassia (3.3%) and in Kemerovo Oblast (2.4%), while low infection rates were more typical in the European part of Russia (0.4-0.7%). Complete four-segment genomes of 20 ALSV isolates derived from 22 PCR-positive Ixodes persulcatus ticks were sequenced using a high-throughput approach. The nucleotide sequences for Asian ALSV isolates have a 94.5-96.5% identity to ALSV isolates previously found in China, with this range for the European isolates being 89-93%. This data, together with phylogenetic analysis, indicates the existence of Asian and European subtypes of ALSV, and these may be associated with I. persulcatus and I ricinus ticks. The obtained results express the spread of ALSV in Russia and also may be useful for the diagnosis, prophylactics, and treatment of this infection.