Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in ticks in Jilin Province, northeastern China

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a neglected rodent-borne zoonotic virus in the genus Mammarenavirus and family Arenaviridae, that can cause aseptic meningitis in humans. A recent study identified infectious LCMV in ticks in northeastern (NE) China. To explore the distribution of LCMV, we determined the prevalence and genetically characterized LCMV in ticks in Jilin Province, NE China. Ticks collected in Huadian, Dunhua, and Jiaohe were pooled and LCMV was detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The complete genomes of the LCMV-positive pools were amplified and used for phylogenetic analysis. A total of 1679 questing and engorged ticks were collected and divided into 170 pools, including Ixodes persulcatus (5%), Dermacentor silvarum (89%), and Haemaphysalis japonica (6%). Twenty-four pools of D. silvarum (14.9%, 95% CI:9.5–22.3) and three pools of H. japonica (36.3%, 95% CI:9.8–99.5) collected from cattle were LCMV-positive. No I. persulcatus pools were identified as LCMV-positive. Two complete genome sequences (strains JL-DH01 and JL-DH02) were successfully amplified. They had nucleotide identities of 96.4–99.8% with strains JX31, JX14, DH46, and JX4 identified in ticks from Jilin Province. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that JL-DH01 and JL-DH02 clustered with Jilin strains in the same branch and belonged to genotype I. The findings add to the knowledge of the genetic diversity and geographical distribution of LCMV in ticks in NE China.