Powassan virus is a subtype of the flavivirus group that is transmitted by the ixodid
tick from various wild animal reservoirs such as white-footed mouse, red squirrel,
and groundhog.
1
,2
It is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with two recognized lineages: POWV
(Lineage I) and Deer Tick Virus DTV (Lineage II). Both Lineages are phylogenetically
distinct, however their clinical course is indistinguishable.
1
,3
POWV and DTV depend on Ixodid tick for their natural transmission with I. Cookie
being the primary tick for POWV and I. scapularis for DTV.
1
,3
Geographic distribution of both lineages I and II (POWV and DTV) overlaps in the
northeastern regions of the United States, with more data needed to map its distribution
in Midwestern states.
3
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References
- Powassan Virus: an emerging arbovirus of public health concern in North America.Vector-Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2017; 17: 453-462
- Potential role of deer tick virus in Powassan encephalitis cases in Lyme disease-endemic areas of New York, U.S.A.Emerg Infect Dis. 2013; 19: 1926-1933
- Powassan Virus disease in the United States, 2006–2016.Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2018; 18: 286-290
CDC, Powassan Virus. 2019.
- Detection of human anti-flavivirus antibodies with a west nile virus recombinant antigen microsphere immunoassay.J Clin Microbiol. 2004; 42: 65-72
- Evaluation of different serological diagnostic methods for tick-borne encephalitis virus: enzyme-linked immunosorbent, immunofluorescence, and neutralization assay.Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2014; 14: 149-159
- Do ticks die in the winter? Habits, Temperatures, Avoidance.GudGear Website.2021https://gudgear.com/do-ticks-die-in-the-winter/(Available at:)Date accessed: August 8, 2022
- Emerging cases of Powassan Virus Encephalitis in New England: clinical presentation, imaging, and review of the literature.Clin Infect Dis. 2016; 62: 707-713
- Powassan virus infection: case series and literature review from a single institution.BMC Res Notes. 2012; 5: 594
- Tickborne Powassan virus infections among Wisconsin residents.WMJ. 2010; 109: 91-97
Article Info
Publication History
Published online: July 21, 2022
Accepted:
June 27,
2022
Received:
November 27,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
