# Metagenomic Analysis of Tick-Borne Viruses Associated With Hyalomma asiaticum From Different Hosts in the Surrounding Areas of Urumqi, China

## TL;DR

This study explores tick-borne viruses in Hyalomma asiaticum ticks from Urumqi, China, revealing a diverse range of RNA viruses and highlighting the need for further research into their zoonotic potential.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive metagenomic analysis of tick-borne viruses in Hyalomma asiaticum ticks from multiple hosts in Urumqi, China.

## Key findings

- Eleven different RNA viruses were detected, with double-stranded RNA viruses being the most prevalent.
- 39.0% of the viral sequences remained unclassified, indicating a large reservoir of unknown viral diversity.
- Genomic and phylogenetic analyses were conducted on six highly abundant viruses, including a novel strain of Hulunbuir Totiv tick virus 1.

## Abstract

Tick-borne viruses (TBVs) represent a serious risk to global public and animal health. Despite the remarkable species diversity of ticks documented in Urumqi and its adjacent regions of China, scientific investigations into TBVs in this ecologically significant area have been strikingly scarce. In this study, we conducted metagenomic sequencing on 752 Hyalomma asiaticum (H. asiaticum), including questing ticks from Wujiaqu and blood-feeding ticks collected from sheep and horses in the Changji area. A total of 11 different RNA viruses were detected, belonging to six viral families and some unclassified families, with double-stranded RNA viruses being the most prevalent (49.1%), including Totiviridae and Sedoreoviridae. Single-stranded RNA viruses accounted for 11.9% of the virome, encompassing Chuviridae, Flaviviridae, Rhabdoviridae, and Phenuiviridae. Notably, 39.0% of the viral sequences remained unclassified, highlighting a substantial reservoir of uncharacterized viral diversity. Genomic and phylogenetic characterizations were performed on six highly abundant viruses, including Bole tick virus 1, Mivirus boleense, Bole tick virus 4, Lonestar tick totivirus, Hubei toti-like virus 24, and a novel strain of Hulunbuir Totiv tick virus 1. However, their zoonotic potential requires further investigation. By integrating cytochrome c oxidase subunit Ⅰ (COI) gene-based tick species identification with viral metagenomics, this study provided a comprehensive assessment of tick species and TBVs diversity in Urumqi and its surrounding areas, China. These results provide new insights into both the genetic diversity of tick-borne RNA viruses and their phylogenetic connections, while also expanding knowledge about the geographical distribution patterns of these pathogens.