Batken Virus

The Batken Virus belongs to the Thogotoviruses and that makes it a direct relative of the influenza viruses because all are part of the larger family of Orthomyxoviruses. The genus Togotoviruses currently has nine distinct members: Thogoto Virus, Dhori Virus, Araguari Virus, Batken Virus, Jos Virus, Upolu Virus, Aransas Bay Virus, Bourbon Virus and Sinu Virus

The Batken Virus was first isolated[1] in 1970 1970 from ticks (Hyalomma plumbeum) from sheep and mosquitoes (Aedes caspius) that were collected in the Bat Ficalbi, 1889 mosquitoes. Later, Later, the Batken Virus was isolated in Kirgizstan from the mixed pool of the Aedes caspius and Culex hortensis mosquitoes.

Serological examination of this unknown virus revealed a close phylogenetic relationship between the Batken Virus and the Dhori Virus. Therefore, it was decided that Batken virus should be classified as a new member into the genus Thogotovirus of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Still, further research seemed to indicate such a high level of similarities that it was suggested that the Batken Virus could be the topotypic Dhori strain for Central Asia, Transcaucasia and Northern Caspian region. The evolution divergence of the Batken Virus and the Dhori Virus could be explained by local ecologic peculiarities[2].

At present, the Batken Virus is not reported to cause disease in humans. Not yet.

[1] Lvov et al: Batken virus, a new arbovirus isolated from ticks and mosquitoes in Kirghiz S.S.R in Archiv für die gesamte Virusforschung - 1974
[2] Al’khovskiï et al: Genetic characterization of the Batken virus (BKNV) (Orthomyxoviridae, Thogotovirus) isolated from the Ixodidae ticks Hyalomma marginatum Koch, 1844 and the mosquitoes Aedes caspius Pallas, 1771, as well as the Culex hortensis Ficalbi, 1889 in the Central Asia in Voprosy Virusologii - 2014