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Detection of Tick-borne Encephalitis Virus in Ixodes Ticks Collected Near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Nora G Cleary1,2, Doniddemberel Altantogtokh3,4, Jigjav Battsetseg4
1Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville Florida, USA.
Background:
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a flavivirus that causes a range of clinical presentations including severe neurological complications in humans. In Mongolia, TBEV is primarily transmitted by the Ixodes persulcatus tick, which serves as both a vector and reservoir. Historically, TBEV in Mongolian ticks has been predominantly described in the forested regions of the Bulgan and Selenge aimags (provinces).
Methods:
In 2021 and 2024, I persulcatus ticks (n = 240) were collected from Bulgan and Tuv aimags in northern Mongolia, respectively, and pooled into 52 groups of 1 to 7 ticks. Using polymerase chain reaction, we identified the presence of TBEV RNA in six pooled samples, which were subjected to sequencing.
Results:
Two full genomes of Siberian TBEV were sequenced and assembled from tick pools collected in Tuv aimag, signifying the closest documented occurrence of this pathogen to the capital of Ulaanbaatar (83 km away). An additional partial Siberian genome was sequenced from a tick pool from Bulgan aimag.
Conclusions:
This finding indicates an elevated risk for TBEV transmission near Mongolia's largest urban center. The detection of TBEV in I persulcatus ticks in new geographic and ecologic areas underscores the necessity for continuous surveillance of tick populations, especially in densely populated regions.
Insights
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA was detected in Ixodes persulcatus ticks in Tuv aimag, Mongolia, marking its closest proximity to Ulaanbaatar. This highlights an increased TBEV transmission risk near the capital city.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Entomology
Background:
- Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a significant flavivirus causing neurological disease in humans.
- In Mongolia, TBEV is transmitted by the Ixodes persulcatus tick, historically found in forested northern regions.
- Previous TBEV surveillance in Mongolian ticks was concentrated in Bulgan and Selenge provinces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and geographic distribution of TBEV in Ixodes persulcatus ticks in northern Mongolia.
- To determine the proximity of TBEV-infected ticks to densely populated areas, including the capital city.
Main Methods:
- Ixodes persulcatus ticks were collected from Bulgan and Tuv aimags in 2021 and 2024.
- Ticks were pooled (1-7 ticks per pool, 52 pools total) and screened for TBEV RNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- Positive samples underwent sequencing to identify TBEV strains.
Main Results:
- TBEV RNA was detected in six pooled tick samples.
- Two full Siberian TBEV genomes were sequenced from Tuv aimag, located 83 km from Ulaanbaatar.
- A partial Siberian TBEV genome was sequenced from Bulgan aimag.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate a heightened risk of TBEV transmission near Mongolia's largest urban center, Ulaanbaatar.
- TBEV has been identified in new geographic and ecological areas within Mongolia.
- Continuous surveillance of tick populations, particularly in populated regions, is crucial for TBEV prevention.
