# Metatranscriptomic Analysis Uncovers RNA Virus Diversity in Ticks From the China–Russia–North Korea Border Region

## TL;DR

This study used metatranscriptomics to discover new viruses in ticks from a border region, revealing potential zoonotic threats and ecological patterns.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel tick-borne viruses and their ecological associations in a geopolitically significant border region.

## Key findings

- Metatranscriptomic analysis identified 10 viral families and 22 viral species in five tick species.
- Five viruses were confirmed human pathogens, and nine showed potential zoonotic risks.
- Virome composition varied significantly across sampling sites, linked to ecological-geographical factors.

## Abstract

Ticks serve as critical viral vectors, and border regions, acting as convergence zones of complex ecosystems, provide diverse habitats for ticks and their hosts, thereby underscoring the need to investigate the tick-borne virome composition in such areas. In this study, metatranscriptomic analysis of five tick species, namely Haemaphysalis longicornis, Haemaphysalis concinna, Haemaphysalis japonica, Ixodes persulactus, and Dermacentor silvarum, collected from the China–Russia–North Korea border region identified 10 viral families and 22 viral species. Among these, five were confirmed human pathogens, while nine exhibited potential zoonotic risks. Moreover, significant variations in virome composition across sampling sites revealed associations between tick-borne viruses and ecological-geographical factors. These findings highlight the diversity and spatiotemporal distribution patterns of tick-borne viruses in the region, offering critical insights for safeguarding border biosecurity and public health.