Background: Our aim is to detect the infection by Toscana virus (TOSV) and other Phleboviruses in the sera and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis in Tunisia. We examined various species of phlebotomus present in Tunisia to determine whether or not a direct relationship exists between cases of meningitis and the viruses circulating in the insect vectors. Methods: Patients with the meningeal syndrome were tested for anti-TOSV IgM and IgG using an indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses using a RT-PCR test. An entomological study was carried out using CDC light traps to trap sandflies in different bioclimatic zones of Tunisia. Collected sandflies were tested by RT-PCR for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses and subsequently by viral isolation on Vero cells. Results: Of 263 patients were tested using ELISA of which 12.16% (n = 32/263) were IgM positive for anti TOSV. Of these 32 patients, 78% (n = 25/32) were IgG positive. 12.86% (n = 18/140) of the CSF samples tested by RT-PCR were positive for the Toscana virus. One CSF sample tested by RT-PCR revealed the presence of Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV). The Punique virus was identified in one sandfly pool. Conclusions: This study confirms, for the first time, that TOSV is involved in a neurological disorder in North Africa. The incidence of this involvement in Tunisia conforms with observations made in other Mediterranean countries. Moreover, for the first time, a molecular approach was used to detect SFSV in a Tunisian patient displaying neurological symptoms. Keywords: Toscana virus, ELISA, Nested RT-PCR, Viral isolation, Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus, Punique virus, Phlebovirus, Sandflies, Phlebotomus, Tunisia

Fezaa, O., M., G.Y., GORI SAVELLINI, G., Ammari, L., Hogga, N., Triki, H., et al. (2014). Serological and molecular detection of Toscana and other Phleboviruses in patients and sandflies in Tunisia. BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 14 [10.1186/s12879-014-0598-9].

Serological and molecular detection of Toscana and other Phleboviruses in patients and sandflies in Tunisia.

GORI SAVELLINI, GIANNI;CUSI, MARIA GRAZIA;
2014-01-01

Abstract

Background: Our aim is to detect the infection by Toscana virus (TOSV) and other Phleboviruses in the sera and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis in Tunisia. We examined various species of phlebotomus present in Tunisia to determine whether or not a direct relationship exists between cases of meningitis and the viruses circulating in the insect vectors. Methods: Patients with the meningeal syndrome were tested for anti-TOSV IgM and IgG using an indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses using a RT-PCR test. An entomological study was carried out using CDC light traps to trap sandflies in different bioclimatic zones of Tunisia. Collected sandflies were tested by RT-PCR for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses and subsequently by viral isolation on Vero cells. Results: Of 263 patients were tested using ELISA of which 12.16% (n = 32/263) were IgM positive for anti TOSV. Of these 32 patients, 78% (n = 25/32) were IgG positive. 12.86% (n = 18/140) of the CSF samples tested by RT-PCR were positive for the Toscana virus. One CSF sample tested by RT-PCR revealed the presence of Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV). The Punique virus was identified in one sandfly pool. Conclusions: This study confirms, for the first time, that TOSV is involved in a neurological disorder in North Africa. The incidence of this involvement in Tunisia conforms with observations made in other Mediterranean countries. Moreover, for the first time, a molecular approach was used to detect SFSV in a Tunisian patient displaying neurological symptoms. Keywords: Toscana virus, ELISA, Nested RT-PCR, Viral isolation, Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus, Punique virus, Phlebovirus, Sandflies, Phlebotomus, Tunisia
2014
Fezaa, O., M., G.Y., GORI SAVELLINI, G., Ammari, L., Hogga, N., Triki, H., et al. (2014). Serological and molecular detection of Toscana and other Phleboviruses in patients and sandflies in Tunisia. BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 14 [10.1186/s12879-014-0598-9].
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
TOSV AND TUNISIA.pdf

non disponibili

Tipologia: Post-print
Licenza: DRM non definito
Dimensione 834.9 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
834.9 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/48416
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo