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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.03.20.713216

Deer tick virus genotypes are perpetuated by different modes of transmission

Goethert, H. K.·O'Callahan, A.·Johnson, R.·Telford, S.
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Abstract

Deer tick virus (DTV), or lineage II Powassan virus, is an emergent tick-borne encephalitis virus in North America. Survivors frequently sustain neurologic sequelae. Nationally reported cases have been increasing. DTV is thought to be maintained in nature by multiple modes including horizontal transmission (from viremic host to tick), cofeeding transmission (between ticks feeding nearby) and by transovarial transmission (female to progeny). Analysis of the relative importance of each mode has been hindered by low enzootic transmission. In 2021, Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts experienced an epizootic that allowed us to probe the modes of transmission on the island. We detected virus in 7.8% of questing deer tick nymphs (161 of 2063) and in 0.3% of lone star nymphs (2 of 678). Infected ticks had a highly focal distribution; 56% of infected ticks derived from only 4 of 71 collection sites. Tick mitochondrial genome sequencing demonstrated that infected ticks were not more likely to be siblings than negative ticks and, therefore, were unlikely to have inherited the infection. Whole viral genome sequencing revealed the presence of 3 genotypes, 58% were type1, 0.6% type2, and 13.7% type3. Tick host bloodmeal identification analyses determined that nymphs infected with type1 were significantly associated with having fed on shrews (50 of 94 type1 ticks, odds ratio=2.3, p<0.001). This is consistent with shrews serving as a reservoir. Ticks infected with type3, however, had no host associations, consistent with infection acquired by cofeeding. It may be that local DTV genetic variation is shaped by transmission modes or host associations. ImportanceDeer tick virus (DTV; Powassan lineage II) is a tick-borne encephalitis virus that causes a rare zoonosis in North America. Cases have been increasingly reported within the last decade. Is the recent risk trend due to increased transmission? How this virus is perpetuated in nature is not well understood. We took advantage of a natural epizootic on Marthas Vineyard to probe how the ticks there had become infected. Using a combination of viral whole genome sequencing and bloodmeal remnant identification in ticks, we find that the mode of transmission varied by viral genotype. One genotype is associated with ticks that had fed on shrews, and another did not depend on a specific reservoir host. Host associations may drive genetic diversity of deer tick virus and thus local host population dynamics may influence zoonotic risk.

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Goethert, H. K., O'Callahan, A., Johnson, R., Telford, S.. 2026-03-23. Deer tick virus genotypes are perpetuated by different modes of transmission. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.20.713216

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