Research advances understanding of tick-borne Powassan virus
Tick populations are expanding across the U.S., driving an increase in tick-borne diseases. Among them is Powassan virus, a rare but increasingly reported infection that can cause severe brain inflammation and lasting neurological complications.
Research conducted by Georgia State University scientists is advancing the understanding of Powassan virus, a rare tick-borne infection that can cause severe brain inflammation and neurological complications. The virus, transmitted by blacklegged ticks, is increasingly reported due to expanding tick populations across the U.S., particularly in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions.
Unlike Lyme disease, Powassan virus has no specific treatment or vaccine, making its study crucial. Three recent studies by the Georgia State researchers have contributed significantly to this field. One study published in Viruses characterized changes in brain microRNAs during Powassan virus infection, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms driving neurological damage.
Another study in Frontiers in Immunology developed a comprehensive animal model that mirrors many neurological features observed in human infections, revealing how the virus crosses the blood-brain barrier, triggers neuroinflammation, damages neurons, and persists in the brain. These findings could help identify biomarkers of disease progression and potential targets for future therapies, ultimately contributing to the scientific foundation needed to better understand and treat this emerging virus.
Brief written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
