Genomic characterization of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Hyalomma ticks from Cameroon highlights circulation of the Africa 3 lineage.
7 affiliations
- 1Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ, Università di Corsica, IRD 190, Inserm 1207, IRBA), Marseille, France. [email protected].
- 2Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, Po Box: 63, SWR, Buea, Cameroon.
- 3Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ, Università di Corsica, IRD 190, Inserm 1207, IRBA), Marseille, France.
- 4Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, University of Buea, Po Box: 63 SWR, Buea, Cameroon.
- 5Research Institute for Agricultural Development, Bangangté, Cameroon.
- 6Centre National de Référence Des Arbovirus, Marseille, France.
- 7Unité des Virus Emergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ, Università di Corsica, IRD 190, Inserm 1207, IRBA), Marseille, France. [email protected].
Abstract
Background
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease of growing public health importance worldwide. Despite its recognized presence in neighboring countries, data on the occurrence and molecular characteristics of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) in ticks from Cameroon remain scarce.Methods
Between March 2023 and November 2024, ticks were collected from cattle (originating from Adamawa and North regions) at the Ngaoundéré municipal slaughterhouse located in the Adamawa region of Cameroon. Specimens were morphologically identified, pooled, and screened for CCHFV RNA using real-time RT-qPCR. Minimum infection rates (MIR) were calculated. Positive samples underwent amplification and sequencing of the S and L genomic segments, followed by phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method (1,000 bootstrap replicates).Results
A total of 299 adult ticks were collected from 50 cattle and grouped into 85 pools. Four pools tested positive for CCHFV RNA, all belonging to Hyalomma rufipes and H. nitidum. Partial sequences of the S (1,537 nt) and L (11,530 nt) segments were successfully obtained from one H. rufipes pool. Phylogenetic analysis placed both segments within genotype III (Africa 3).Conclusions
This study provides the first molecular characterization of CCHFV from Hyalomma ticks collected from cattle in Cameroon. The findings underscore the need to integrate molecular surveillance and tick control into national One Health strategies to prevent potential spillover to humans.
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BibTeX
@article{fokeng2026genomic,
title = {{Genomic characterization of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Hyalomma ticks from Cameroon highlights circulation of the Africa 3 lineage.}},
author = {Armand Namekong Fokeng and Stéphanie Mvodo and Moréna Gasparine and Laurence Thirion and Manchang Tanyi Kinsley and Félix Fewou Mfoujouem and Rémi Charrel and Xavier de Lamballerie and Archile Paguem and Alessandra Falchi},
journal = {Parasites \& vectors},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s13071-026-07560-5},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894234},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Genomic characterization of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Hyalomma ticks from Cameroon highlights circulation of the Africa 3 lineage.
AU - Armand Namekong Fokeng
AU - Stéphanie Mvodo
AU - Moréna Gasparine
AU - Laurence Thirion
AU - Manchang Tanyi Kinsley
AU - Félix Fewou Mfoujouem
AU - Rémi Charrel
AU - Xavier de Lamballerie
AU - Archile Paguem
AU - Alessandra Falchi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Parasites & vectors
DO - 10.1186/s13071-026-07560-5
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894234
AB - Background Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease of growing public health importance worldwide. Despite its recognized presence in neighboring countries, data on the occurrence and molecular characteristics of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) in ticks from Cameroon remain scarce.Methods Between March 2023 and November 2024, ticks were collected from cattle (originating from Adamawa and North regions) at the Ngaoundéré municipal slaughterhouse located in the Adamawa region of Cameroon. Specimens were morphologically identified, pooled, and screened for CCHFV RNA using real-time RT-qPCR. Minimum infection rates (MIR) were calculated. Positive samples underwent amplification and sequencing of the S and L genomic segments, followed by phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method (1,000 bootstrap replicates).Results A total of 299 adult ticks were collected from 50 cattle and grouped into 85 pools. Four pools tested positive for CCHFV RNA, all belonging to Hyalomma rufipes and H. nitidum. Partial sequences of the S (1,537 nt) and L (11,530 nt) segments were successfully obtained from one H. rufipes pool. Phylogenetic analysis placed both segments within genotype III (Africa 3).Conclusions This study provides the first molecular characterization of CCHFV from Hyalomma ticks collected from cattle in Cameroon. The findings underscore the need to integrate molecular surveillance and tick control into national One Health strategies to prevent potential spillover to humans.
SN - 1756-3305
ER -