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PubMed2001

A model for predicting chloride concentrations in river water in a relatively unpolluted catchment in north-east Scotland.

The River Dee is an oligotrophic soft water system, in the NE of Scotland, with a catchment area of approximately 2100 km2. The river rises in the Cairngorm Mountains and enters the North Sea at Aberdeen, approximately 140 km from its source. Water chemical quality data was collected every 2 weeks over 12 months for 59 sites distributed throughout the catchment. River water chloride concentrations increased significantly from west to east. In depth investigation of the relationship with distance from the coast revealed the significant difference in spatial distribution of river water chloride concentrations between upland and lowland/agricultural areas, suggesting the possible importance of agricultural practices to streamwater chloride concentrations. Thirty of the sample sites are independent and have been used to develop a simple model for prediction of streamwater Cl- concentration throughout the catchment. The model has been validated using data from the remaining sub-catchments. The model shows that mean Cl- concentration may be reliably predicted from distance from the coast and the percentage of improved grassland and arable land cover in each sub-catchment (r2 = 0.98). It is postulated that the land use effects may be partly due to the evolved link between landuse and catchment altitude characteristics, rather than just the direct effect of applied potassium chloride fertiliser on agricultural land. It was noted that there was insufficient forestry within the River Dee Catchment to reliably include % forest cover in the model.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2001

The fate of 137Cs in coniferous forests following the application of wood-ash.

In the future, it may become common practice in Swedish forestry to recycle wood-ash, a waste product of the combustion of bio-fuel. As a consequence of the Chernobyl radioactive fallout in 1986, large areas of central Sweden were contaminated. Application of recycled wood-ash, originating from contaminated areas, to a previously uncontaminated forest, risks an increase in the concentration of radioactive 137Cs. We measured 137Cs radioactivity in different parts of coniferous forests in seven field experiments. Measurements of radioactivity were made 5-8 years after an application of wood-ash equivalent to 3000 kg ha(-1). The sites, in a north-south transect across Sweden, have a background radioactivity ranging from 0 to 40 kBq m(-2), the higher levels are mainly a result of the Chernobyl fall-out. Depending on its origin, the radioactivity of the applied wood-ash ranged from 0.0 to 4.8 kBq kg(-1), corresponding to 0.0-1.44 kBq m(-2). In autumn 1999, samples were taken from the soil, field vegetation, needles and twigs and the levels of 137Cs determined. In addition, soil samples were analysed for extractable K. The highest 137Cs concentration was found in the soil. At six of the seven sites there were no statistically significant effects of wood-ash application on 137Cs activity. This was despite the fact that the wood-ash had, in one case, added the same amount of radioactivity as the background. However, at one site with intermediate 137Cs deposition (10-20 kBq m(-2)), there was a statistically significant decrease in 137Cs radioactivity in the soil, needles and twigs from the plots treated with wood-ash. The decrease in radioactivity was partly due to the fact that one of the main constituents of wood-ash is K, which is antagonistic to 137Cs. Based on our results, it appears that application of wood-ash containing 137Cs does not necessarily increase the 137Cs radioactivity in plants and soil. However, some of the observed effects could be a result of the low number of replicates used in this study.

Cesium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed2002

Heavy metal contents in surface soils along the Upper Scheldt river (Belgium) affected by historical upland disposal of dredged materials.

For several decades, periodical dredging of river sediments has been necessary to allow for shipping traffic on the river Scheldt. Sediments were disposed along the shores in the alluvial plain without concern for the potential presence of contaminants. The aim of this study was to survey the alluvial plains of the Upper Scheldt river in Belgium for the presence of old dredged sediment landfills, and to appraise the heavy metal contamination at these sites. Up to 82% of the areas that were affected by dredged sediment disposal was found to be polluted by at least one of the metals Cd, Cr, Zn or Pb. Concentrations of Cd, Cr and Zn were, in 10% of the cases, higher than 26, 1900 and 2800 mg/kg, respectively. Cu and Ni concentrations were of no environmental concern on any site. Trends in metal concentrations as a function of location and time were explored and discussed. The highest average concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were found in the most downstream quarter of the Upper Scheldt. Contents of Pb and Cu were significantly lower for sediments disposed after 1965, but no indication for improvement of the sediment quality with time was observed for Cd, Cr and Zn. The pollution levels encountered warrant for caution as most of the soils affected by historical dredged sediment disposal are currently in use for agriculture, nature development or forestry.

Belgium↗
PubMed2003

Seasonal change in the level and the chemical forms of aluminum in soil solution under a Japanese cedar forest.

The level of dissolved aluminum and its chemical forms in soil solutions consecutively collected by a porous cup vacuum sampler were monitored over a period from January 2001 to December 2001 at a Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) forestry area susceptible to acid deposition to characterize current soil dynamics and to evaluate potential tree damages. Distinction and characterization of Al species with differential toxicities were performed by two complementary speciation techniques; cation-exchange HPLC with fluorometric detection using 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (HQS) and size-fractionation/inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The concentrations of free Al (mainly Al3+ and Al(OH)2+) and inert Al (existing as the complexed and/or colloidal forms) ranged between 0-150 microM and 10-50 microM, respectively. The concentrations of inert Al were mostly below 40 microM during an annual cycle and showed no marked seasonal variation, while free Al concentrations showed a clear tendency to increase in the spring and summer seasons (in the period from April to August) probably due to the enhanced activity of microbial nitrification and the resultant soil acidification. Major cations and anions were also regularly determined and their seasonal changes were correlated with that of the dissolved Al concentration. Correlations between total Al (mainly existing as free Al) and the related species (and environmental conditions) were as follows: Al and Mg (R=0.96, P<0.01), Al and Ca (R=0.97, P<0.01), Al and NO3- (R=0.68, P<0.01), Al and temperature (R=0.68, P<0.01), Al and solution pH (R=-0.61, P<0.01), solution pH and NO3- (R=-0.65, P<0.01).

Acid Rain↗
PubMed1997

Land application of sewage sludge in China.

Land application of sewage sludge in China is thoroughly reviewed. Operation of sewage sludge disposal is usually expensive and/or easy to contaminate the environment. In China, most sewage sludge has not been treated and disposed of properly, resulting in environmental pollution and potential exposure to humans. In the near future, sewage sludge production in China will increase rapidly together with the dramatic increase of municipal wastewater treatment ratio (treated/produced), implying that the problem of sewage sludge disposal will become more serious and unavoidable. Proper land utilization of stabilized sewage sludge can make a positive contribution to agriculture, forestry, horticulture and city development. Heavy metals, organic pollutants and pathogens concentrated in sewage sludge during wastewater treatment are the main obstacles to land application of sewage sludge. To promote land application of sewage sludge in China, a statewide survey of sewage sludge production and harmful components in sewage sludge should be carried out. Sewage sludge management and technologies for sludge treatment and disposal suitable to Chinese conditions should be paid more attention.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2001

A study of the impacts of climate change on the geographic distribution of Pinus koraiensis in China.

The climatic conditions and elevation of the potential distribution area of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc) in China were determined by an ecological information system GREEN that has been developed by [Yan H, Booth TH, Zuo H, editors. GREEN--a climatic mapping program for China and its use in forestry. In: Matching trees and sites, ACIAR Proceedings No. 63. Australia: ACIAR, 1996]. The potential distribution areas of this tree species under current and predicted climatic conditions were mapped using IDRISI GIS. Based on the averages of rainfall and temperature predicted by 5 GCMs (GISS, NCAR, OSU, UKMO and MPI, i.e., an "averaged" model) and a new model HadCM2 for 2030, predictions were made on the future distributions of Korean pine. The result shows that the southern boundary of the potential distribution area of Korean pine will have a northward shift of 0.1 degrees to 0.6 degrees in latitude, and the northern boundary will have a northward shift of 0.3 degrees to 0.5 degrees, resulting in an expansion of the potential distribution area by 3.4% according to the average of the five models. However, the distribution areas will be decreased by 12.1% and 44.9% according to the scenarios predicted by HadCM2, which assumes annual increments of CO2 concentrations of 0.5% and 1%, respectively. The authors concluded that if the thresholds were properly selected the actual distribution and potential distribution of a tree species might agree. The projected distribution under changed climatic conditions depends on the GCM scenarios applied. Different GCM scenarios may sometimes give opposite conclusions, as in the case of Korean pine projected by the "averaged" and HadCM2 models.

China↗
PubMed2002

Community-level disruptions among zooplankton of pond mesocosms treated with a neem (azadirachtin) insecticide.

A natural, plant-derived insecticide, neem, is being evaluated as an alternative insect pest control product for forestry in Canada. As part of the process to investigate the environmental safety of neem-based insecticides, a mesocosm experiment was conducted to assess the effects of neem on natural zooplankton communities. Replicate (n=5), shallow (<1 m) forest pond enclosures were treated with Neemix 4.5, at concentrations of 0.035 (the expected environmental concentration), 0.18, 0.70, and 1.75 mg/l active ingredient, azadirachtin. Zooplankton communities were quantitatively sampled over a 4-month experimental period in treated and control enclosures, and water samples were collected to track azadirachtin concentrations. Concentrations in water declined linearly with estimated DT(50) values of 25-29 days. Trends in abundance over time among populations of cladocerans, copepods, and rotifers were found to differ significantly among treatments. At the two highest test concentrations, adverse effects were obvious with significant reductions in several cladoceran species, and near elimination of the three major copepod species present. More subtle effects at the two lowest test concentrations were determined by comparing the community structure of enclosures across treatment levels and over time through an analytical process based on the multivariate statistical software, PRIMER. Significant effects on community structure were detected at both of these lower concentrations, including the expected environmental concentration of 0.035 mg/l azadirachtin. Differential responses among species (some increases, some decreases) caused detectable disruptions in community structure among zooplankton of treated enclosures. Perturbations to zooplankton communities were sufficient to cause measurable differences in system-level metabolism (midday dissolved oxygen concentrations) at all but the lowest test concentration.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Will reduced sulphur emissions under the Second Sulphur Protocol lead to recovery of acid sensitive sites in UK?

A conceptual model of the combined effects of acid deposition and land-use, Model of Acidification of Groundwater In Catchments (MAGIC), was applied to 21 upland sites in the UK Acid Waters Monitoring Network (AWMN) to assess the likely future recovery in response to the latest international agreements controlling anthropogenic sulphur emissions throughout Europe. Future estimates of sulphur deposition were generated by the Hull Acid Rain Model (HARM), based on the agreed reductions outlined in the Second Sulphur Protocol. The results indicate only a limited degree of recovery in surface-water chemistry at all sites over the next 50 years; moreover, a continuing decline in soil base status is predicted to occur at 70% of sites, resulting in longer term reacidification of surface-water at 38% of sites. However, compared with a 'business as usual' scenario the recovery is pronounced, although acidified sites will require further reductions in acidic deposition if recovery to pre-industrial chemical conditions are to be achieved. Furthermore, land-use scenarios at afforested sites suggest that replanting of felled forest will lead to a further increase in acidification. This strengthens the argument that plantation forestry should be avoided in areas considered geologically sensitive to acidic deposition.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Global networking for assessment of impacts of global change on plant pests.

Global change encompasses changes in atmospheric composition, climate and climate variability, and land cover and land use. The occurrence of these changes and their interactive effects on biological systems are worldwide; thus, an effective global change research and impact assessment program must be based on international and interdisciplinary research and communication. With this in mind, several collaborative research networks with a focus on global change have been established in the biological sciences. They include the Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems (GCTE) Core Project of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) which aims to predict the effects of global change on terrestrial ecosystems, including agriculture and production forestry. Because of the importance of plant pests (arthropods, microbial pathogens, weeds) as yield-reducing factors in agriculture and as early indicators of global change, GCTE initiated a network Activity on "Global Change Impacts on Pests, Diseases and Weeds" with the overall goal of developing a predictive capability for impact assessment and adaptation. The network's specific objectives, contributing research projects, initial results and future challenges are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Surface water acidification in the South Pennines I. Current status and spatial variability.

The South Pennines, an area of acid-sensitive geology at the centre of a major industrial region, have undergone perhaps the most severe historic exposure to sulphur and nitrogen deposition in the UK. This study addresses a lack of existing research on the region by presenting the findings of a survey of 62 surface waters sampled during a 1-week period in April 1998. Results indicate that acidification in the region is acute; 27 of the sampled surface waters had a negative acid neutralising capacity (ANC) and 28 had a pH below 5.0. Minimum recorded pH values were below 4.0. Non-marine sulphate levels were extremely high (median 222 microeq/1), and widespread high nitrate concentrations (median 41 microeq/1) suggest that soils in the region as a whole may be at an advanced stage of nitrogen saturation. A consistent relationship was identified between site acidity and the balance between the major weathering-derived cations, calcium and magnesium, and sulphate. This could in turn be linked to catchment soil type and land use, with the most acidic conditions occurring in peat-dominated catchments, where weathering is minimal and the influence of atmospheric deposition most pronounced. Percentage of peat in each catchment was the single best predictor of surface water acidity. Nitrate concentrations, although not a dominant control on acidity, varied significantly according to land use. Elevated concentrations were observed in catchments containing forestry, due to enhanced deposition inputs, and in catchments containing improved land, linked to fertiliser use. Ammonium concentrations, although low at most catchments, were a significant component of the inorganic nitrogen total in a number of surface waters draining waterlogged peat catchments.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

In vitro genotoxic effects of the insecticide deltamethrin in human peripheral blood leukocytes: DNA damage ('comet' assay) in relation to the induction of sister-chromatid exchanges and micronuclei.

Deltamethrin, a synthetic dibromo-pyrethroid insecticide, is extensively used in agriculture, forestry and in household products because of its high activity against a broad spectrum of insect pests (both adults and larvae), its low animal toxicity and its lack of persistence in the environment. Data on the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of deltamethrin are rather controversial, depending on the genetic system or the assay used. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the potential genotoxic activity of deltamethrin. The in vitro genotoxicity of deltamethrin has been evaluated by assessing the ability of the insecticide to damage DNA (as evaluated using the single-cell microgel-electrophoresis or 'comet' assay) or induce sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) in human peripheral blood leukocytes. All treatments were conducted with and without the presence of an external bioactivation source (+/- S9mix). The results indicate that deltamethrin, in the presence of metabolic activation (+ S9mix), is able to induce DNA damage (double- and single-strand breaks, alkali-labile sites and open excision repair sites) as revealed by the increasing tail moment values observed with increasing doses. The frequency of SCE and MN were not statistically increased in deltamethrin-treated cells as compared to controls, both with and without S9mix. However, lower deltamethrin doses were tested, as compared to 'comet' assay, because of cytotoxicity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Sampling Broad Habitat change to assess biodiversity conservation action in Northern Ireland.

A habitat monitoring programme, the Northern Ireland Countryside Survey, carried out by the University of Ulster for the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, is described. It was based on a random sample of quarter kilometer grid squares, stratified by multivariate land classification. Estimates of change in habitat area between 1987-1992 and 1998 are presented and used to assess policy-related priorities for biodiversity conservation action in widespread habitats in Northern Ireland (NI). The basis of the assessment is Broad Habitats, a classification developed as part of the United Kingdom (UK) Biodiversity Action Plan. Improved Grassland, Neutral Grassland and Bog Broad Habitats occupy the largest area of NI, which holds a large proportion of the UK Neutral Grassland and Fen Marsh and Swamp Broad Habitat resource. The greatest net area increases with time were in Improved Grassland (33%), Coniferous Woodland (12%) and Broadleaved, Mixed and Yew Woodland (9%). The greatest net area decreases were in Neutral Grassland (-32%), Arable and Horticulture (-25%), Fen, Marsh and Swamp (-19%), Bog (-8%) and Calcareous Grassland (-7%). These changes are a function of agriculture, public and private forestry, building construction and peat cutting for fuel. The Key biodiversity issue is seminatural Broad Habitat loss, in particular, Neutral Grassland and Fen, Marsh and Swamp, highlighting the lack of effective action for protecting biodiversity in the countryside as a whole. The extent to which current land use is shown to be driving change, indicates that biodiversity conservation action through implementing landscape-scale agri-environment measures could deliver major biodiversity gains. The reliable information on recent changes, provided by the Northern Ireland Countryside Survey, has been used to guide conservation planning. Future re-survey will allow the effectiveness of the conservation strategy as it applies to the countryside as a whole, to be determined. As decisions on land use increasingly have a strong European dimension, concerted action for protecting biodiversity in the countryside as a whole is needed. This would be promoted by a structured sampling approach, based on standard habitat mapping procedures.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

Carbon management and biodiversity.

International efforts to mitigate human-caused changes in the Earth's climate are considering a system of incentives (debits and credits) that would encourage specific changes in land use that can help to reduce the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide. The two primary land-based activities that would help to minimize atmospheric carbon dioxide are carbon storage in the terrestrial biosphere and the efficient substitution of biomass fuels and bio-based products for fossil fuels and energy-intensive products. These two activities have very different land requirements and different implications for the preservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of other ecosystem services. Carbon sequestration in living forests can be pursued on lands with low productivity, i.e. on lands that are least suitable for agriculture or intensive forestry, and are compatible with the preservation of biodiversity over large areas. In contrast, intensive harvest-and-use systems for biomass fuels and products generally need more productive land to be economically viable. Intensive harvest-and-use systems may compete with agriculture or they may shift intensive land uses onto the less productive lands that currently harbor most of the Earth's biodiversity. Win-win solutions for carbon dioxide control and biodiversity are possible, but careful evaluation and planning are needed to avoid practices that reduce biodiversity with little net decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Planning is more complex on a politically subdivided Earth where issues of local interest, national sovereignty, and equity come into play.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2001

Characteristics of wood ash and influence on soil properties and nutrient uptake: an overview.

Wood industries and power plants generate enormous quantities of wood ash. Disposal in landfills has been for long a common method for removal. New regulations for conserving the environment have raised the costs of landfill disposal and added to the difficulties for acquiring new sites for disposal. Over a few decades a number of studies have been carried out on the utilization of wood ashes in agriculture and forestry as an alternative method for disposal. Because of their properties and their influence on soil chemistry the utilization of wood ashes is particularly suited for the fertility management of tropical acid soils and forest soils. This review principally focuses on ash from the wood industry and power plants and considers its physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics, its effect on soil properties, on the availability of nutrient elements and on the growth and chemical composition of crops and trees, as well as its impact on the environment.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗
PubMed2003

Energy evaluation of forest residues originated from pine in Galicia.

Pine residues originated from cuts and forestry tasks were studied with the main objective of using them as an alternative source of energy. Calorific values were measured using a static bomb calorimeter in an oxygen atmosphere. From these measurements a value of 7500 kJkg(-1) for the mean lower heating value of these kind of residues was found. A rational and sustainable exploitation of the calorific energy contained in these residues can yield a gross benefit of 2.8 x 10(8) per year through its transformation in electric energy. The study was made along one year, using samples collected in different previously characterized zones. Some other parameters such as: elementary composition, heavy metal content, flammability, and bioclimatic properties were also determined.

Bioelectric Energy Sources↗
PubMed2000

Preventable risk factors for nasal cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine preventable risk factors for cancers of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in the United States, we analyzed data from the population-based, case-control Selected Cancers Study. METHODS: Cases were men born between 1929 and 1953 who were diagnosed with primary nasal cancer between 1984 and 1988 and identified from population-based cancer registries; we narrowed the cohort to 70 subjects whose diagnosis of nasal cancer was confirmed by pathology review. All living controls interviewed for the Selected Cancers Study were included as the comparison group (n = 1910); they were recruited by random-digit dial telephone and were frequency-matched to the lymphoma cases of the Selected Cancers Study by geographic area and age. Both cases and controls were interviewed by telephone. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses showed that cases were 2.5 times more likely than controls to have smoked cigarettes [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-5.3], and 2.2 times more likely to have worked in selected occupations, including lawn care, forestry, and maintenance of highway right-of-way areas (CI = 1.2-3.7). These occupations may cause workers to be exposed to pesticides or herbicides. The population attributable risk (PAR) was 53% for having ever smoked cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that among U.S. men, some nasal cancer may be preventable by avoiding cigarette smoking.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

Detection of genotoxic substances in bivalve molluscs from the Saguenay Fjord (Canada), using the SOS chromotest.

Few studies have employed bioassays to investigate the accumulation of genotoxins in aquatic biota that inhabit areas contaminated with industrial and municipal wastes. This study employed the SOS Chromotest, a short-term bacterial genotoxicity assay, to investigate the presence of genotoxins in bivalve molluscs from the Saguenay Fjord (Canada). Genotoxicity analyses were performed on dichloromethane extracts of Mya arenaria and Mytilus edulis collected downstream from several aluminum refineries and forestry products industries known to produce and release genotoxic substances. The results confirmed that bivalve molluscs inhabiting downstream regions are contaminated with both direct-acting and pro-genotoxic substances. In several cases, SOS response induction factors exceeded 3.0. The results failed to reveal a clear downstream trend of decreasing genotoxicity with increasing distance from the presumed industrial sources(s). A significant relationship (r2 = 0.61, p < 0.007) between a demographic variable (population near shoreline) and lipid-corrected genotoxic potency suggest that the accumulated direct-acting genotoxins may be of municipal origin. Significant relationships between tissue extract genotoxicity (r2 = 0.75, p < 0.003) and tissue PAH contamination (r2 = 0.77, p < 0.0001) and drainage basin area suggests that the bivalves are accumulating airborne contaminants deposited on the surface of the relevant drainage basins. In spite of contamination with genotoxic PAHs, the addition of rat liver microsomal enzymes reduced the genotoxic potency of all samples investigated (31-94% decrease). The results also revealed a significant relationship between tissue extract genotoxicity and PAH concentration (r2 = 0.72, p < 0.0005). Further analyses confirmed that a variable portion (7-97%) of the S9-activated tissue extract genotoxicity can be attributed to the detected PAHs. Although the sources, identity and effects of genotoxins accumulated by bivalves of the Saguenay Fjord remain to be determined, the study has confirmed the utility of the SOS Chromotest in environmental monitoring of aquatic biota.

Animals↗
PubMed2024

A series of patients infected with the emerging tick-borne Yezo virus in China: an active surveillance and genomic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Yezo virus (YEZV) is an emerging tick-borne pathogen, which was initially reported in Japan in 2021. Only one patient had been reported in China so far. We aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings of a series of patients, and to characterise the viral genomes of YEZV. METHODS: In this active surveillance and genomic analysis, we conducted active surveillance at Mudanjiang Forestry Central Hospital, Heilongjiang Province of northeast China. Participants were eligible for inclusion if they sought medical care for a recent tick bite between May 1 and July 31, in 2022 and 2023, and between May 1 and July 10, in 2024. We collected sera from participants to detect YEZV infection by meta-transcriptomic sequencing, real-time RT-PCR, and indirect immunofluorescence assay. We isolated YEZV by cell culture and characterised the pathogen by morphological and phylogenetic analyses. FINDINGS: A series of 18 patients with YEZV infection (12 male and six female; median age 53 years, IQR 45-60) were identified among 988 participants. The patients presented with fever (18 patients, 100%), headache (ten patients, 56%), dizziness (nine patients, 50%), malaise (three patients, 17%), lumbago (three patients, 17%), and cough (three patients, 17%). Nine (50%) patients had rash around the tick bite site and four (22%) had lymphadenopathy. Nine (50%) patients had gastrointestinal symptoms, and five (28%) had neurological symptoms. We observed leukopenia in ten (63%) and thrombocytopenia in five (31%) of 16 assessed patients. Elevated hepatic transaminase concentrations were identified in 13 (72%) of all 18 patients, lactate dehydrogenase or &#x3b1;-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase in nine (50%), serum amyloid protein A in 13 (72%), and hypersensitive C-reactive protein in ten (56%). Eight (7%) of 119 Ixodes persulcatus ticks removed from participants were positive for YEZV. Three YEZV strains were isolated from the sera of patients. Ten viral genomes were obtained from five patients, a blood-sucking I persulcatus removed from a participant, and four host-questing tick samples collected in the areas where patients were identified or in the adjacent region. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that YEZVs in either patients or ticks were divided into two clades, each with distinct mutations. INTERPRETATION: Awareness of YEZV infection is important and clinicians should consider the virus when diagnosing patients with suitable symptoms. FUNDING: National Key Research and Development Program of China. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Humans↗