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Molecular identification of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in Hyalomma rufipes and Amblyomma variegatum in the Upper East Region of Ghana

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Abstract

Sampled ticks were screened for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) using an assay that targets the nucleoprotein gene region of the S segment, a conserved region of the CCHFV genome. Minimum infection rates of 0.34% and 0.10% were obtained when testing pools of Hyalomma rufipes and Amblyomma variegatum, respectively. Next-generation sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the S and L segments of the CCHFV isolate clustered with those of similar isolates of genotype III. However, analysis of the M segment showed that reassortment had occurred, causing this segment to cluster with those of isolates of genotype I, providing the first evidence of such an occurrence in Ghana.

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All of the data supporting this study are included in the article.

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Acknowledgements

The Navrongo Health Research Centre and the Parasitology Department of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research are acknowledged by the authors for their assistance and contribution. We are also grateful to Suzanne Mate (MAJ) for her support and contribution towards this study.

Funding

The Global Health Engagement Research Initiative (grant number GRANT12767296) of the Uniformed Services University Centre for Global Health Engagement (CGHE) contributed funding for this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parasitology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana

    Seth Offei Addo, Ronald Essah Bentil, Charlotte Adwoa Addae, Kevin Nii Yartey, Jane Ansah‑Owusu, Christopher Nii Laryea Tawiah-Mensah, Bright Agbodzi, Selassie Kumordjie, Clara Yeboah, Michael David Wilson & Samuel K. Dadzie

  2. Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana

    Seth Offei Addo, John Asiedu Larbi & Philip Kweku Baidoo

  3. Navrongo Health Research Centre, Upper East Region, Navrongo, Ghana

    Bernice Olivia Ama Baako & Victor Asoala

  4. Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, Jacksonville, FL, USA

    James C. Dunford

  5. Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    James C. Dunford

  6. School of Community and Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    James C. Dunford

  7. Navy Entomology Center of Excellence, Center for Disease Control and Prevention Detachment, Atlanta, Georgia

    Joseph W. Diclaro II

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  1. Seth Offei Addo
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Contributions

SOA wrote the main manuscript. SOA, REB, CAA, BOAB, KNY, JA, CNLT, BA, SK, and CY conducted the laboratory analysis. SOA and BA analysed the data. SOA, VA, JCD, JAL, PKB, MDW, JWD, and SKD designed the study. JAL, PKB, MDW, and SKD supervised this study. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Seth Offei Addo or Samuel K. Dadzie.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The University of Ghana Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (UG-IACUC; UG-IACUC 001/19-20) granted ethical permission for this study.

Authors’ disclaimer statement

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, the Department of Defense, or the US Government. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the US Army. The authors Joseph W. Diclaro II and James C. Dunford are military service members or employees of the US Government. This work was prepared as part of their official duties. Title 17 USC §105 provides that “Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government”. Title 17 USC §101 defines US Government work as work prepared by a military service member or employee of the US Government as part of that person’s official duties.

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Addo, S.O., Bentil, R.E., Addae, C.A. et al. Molecular identification of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in Hyalomma rufipes and Amblyomma variegatum in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Arch Virol 169, 62 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-024-05983-y

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