Toscana virus isolated from sandflies, Morocco

Es-Sette, Nargys; Ajaoud, Malika; Anga, Latifa; Mellouki, Fouad; Lemrani, Meryem

doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0826-1

Cited by 30 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…TOSV infection can present with a large variety of symptoms from very mild febrile illness to severe neuroinvasive infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis, and peripheral neurological manifestations [7,8]. Studies performed during the last decade have shown that TOSV is present in countries bordering the Mediterranean, with at least 250 million people at risk of infection [8,9]. Apart from Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi , there is increasing evidence demonstrating that there are other potential vectors of TOSV, such as Sergentomyia minuta [10], Phlebotomus tobbi [11], Phlebotomus neglectus [12], Phlebotomus longicuspis, and Phlebotomus sergenti [9,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Infection of Sand Flies by Massilia Virus and Viral Transmission by Co-Feeding on Sugar Meal

Jancarova

Bichaud

Hlaváčová

et al. 2019

Viruses

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Background: Massilia virus (MASV) is a phlebovirus isolated from Phlebotomus perniciosus in various regions of southwestern Europe. It is closely related to human pathogens such as Toscana virus and sandfly fever Naples virus. The natural cycle of phleboviruses is poorly understood. Indeed, experimental studies demonstrate that transovarial and sexual transmission are not efficient enough for the maintenance of the virus in nature and to date there is no convincing evidence that a species of vertebrates is the reservoir of the virus. Here, we studied various transmission routes of MASV taking advantage of experimental colonies representing different species of sand flies. Methodology/Principal findings: In P. perniciosus, four sources of infection were compared: (i) Virus-seeded larval food to the first instar larvae (L1), or (ii) to the fourth instar larvae (L4), (iii) virus-seeded blood meal to adult females, and (iv) virus-seeded sugar meal to adults of both sexes. From 875 adults emerged from infected L1 and L4, only three were positive. In females infected by bloodmeal the infection rate was high before defecation, then it decreased drastically; MASV RNA was detected in only 5 out of 27 post-defecation. Surprisingly, the most efficient route of infection was observed after intake of virus-seeded sugar meal: 72% of females (79/110) and 52% of males (51/99) were found to be MASV RNA-positive. In addition, MASV-infected sandflies regurgitated virus particules into the sugar drop and MASV RNA was detectable in this drop for at least 24 h after regurgitation. MASV RNA was detected in about one third of the P. perniciosus exposed to this sugar drop contaminated by regurgitation. Sugar meal infection was also tested with six other species of sand flies. In males, there were no significant differences in infection rates when compared to P. perniciosus. In females, most species tested showed high infection rate at the beginning but then significant gradual decrease in infection rate during the experiment. Conclusions/Significance: We present the first description of arboviral infection of a dipteran vector using sugar meal. In all seven sand fly species tested, MASV was detected for two weeks post-infection. Our results showed that MASV can be transmitted between P. perniciosus either through co-feeding or via an infected sugar source such as plant sap. These newly described routes of horizontal transmission may play an important role in the circulation of phleboviruses in nature.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Infection of Sand Flies by Massilia Virus and Viral Transmission by Co-Feeding on Sugar Meal

Jancarova

Bichaud

Hlaváčová

et al. 2019

Viruses

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“…Many studies have been conducted in the field of leishmaniasis and there is reduction in the number of reported cutaneous cases of leishmaniasis in Iran [ 3 , 4 ], but even with the great efforts of health authorities over the last four decades, there is still a considerable number of foci of disease distributed throughout the country [ 4 ]. In addition to different types of leishmaniasis, sand flies may carry a number of other viral diseases such as papatasi fever, summer meningitis, or Toscana virus as well as Carrion's disease that is caused by bacteria [ 5 , 6 ]. Similar to most other studies on arthropod borne diseases on the fauna of vectors, the distribution and other characteristics of diseases have great importance in planning any program to reduce or even stop transmission.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and Seasonal Activity of Phlebotominae Sand Flies in Yazd and Its Outskirts, Center of Iran

Mirhoseini

Salehzadeh

Jamaat

et al. 2017

The Scientific World Journal

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Background Phlebotominae sand flies are the main vectors of leishmaniasis and some other diseases. Materials and Methods Using sticky traps, sand flies were collected fortnightly from outdoors and indoors areas of selected sites. Results A total of 2032 specimens (498 in the city and 1534 in the outskirts of Yazd) belonging to 11 species were collected. The activity of sand flies started in early-April and ended in mid-November. There were two peaks of activity in the end of April and mid-September. Phlebotomus sergenti and P. papatasi were the most abundant species in the city and outskirts of Yazd city, respectively. Other species were P. salehi, P. ansarii, P. kazerouni, P. caucasicus, P. andrejevi, P. alexandri, P. mongolensis, Sergentomyia sintoni, and S. palestinensis. Conclusion In comparison to some other parts of Iran, the extended period between two peaks suggests that the larvae to adult development of sand fly were delayed by the higher temperature of the summer months in Yazd province.

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“…longicuspis and Ph. sergenti are identified as potential vectors of TOSV in Morocco [59]. Another study reported TOSV presence in Se.…”

Section: Sandflies As Tosv Vectorsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…sergenti, and Ph. neglectus are possible vectors of TOSV strains belonging to lineage B [11,59]. So far, TOSV strains belonging to lineage C have only been recorded in Croatia and Greece, where they are assumed to be transmitted by Ph.…”

Section: Sandflies As Tosv Vectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Broader Geographical Distribution of Toscana Virus in the Mediterranean Region Suggests the Existence of Larger Varieties of Sand Fly Vectors

et al. 2020

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Toscana virus (TOSV) is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, where it is transmitted by sand flies. TOSV can infect humans and cause febrile illness as well as neuroinvasive infections affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although TOSV is a significant human pathogen, it remains neglected and there are consequently many gaps of knowledge. Recent seroepidemiology studies and case reports showed that TOSV’s geographic distribution is much wider than was assumed a decade ago. The apparent extension of the TOSV circulation area raises the question of the sandfly species that are able to transmit the virus in natural conditions. Phlebotomus (Ph.) perniciosus and Ph. perfiliewi were historically identified as competent species. Recent results suggest that other species of sand flies could be competent for TOSV maintenance and transmission. Here we organize current knowledge in entomology, epidemiology, and virology supporting the possible existence of additional phlebotomine species such as Ph. longicuspis, Ph. sergenti, Ph. tobbi, Ph. neglectus, and Sergentomyia minuta in TOSV maintenance. We also highlight some of the knowledge gaps to be addressed in future studies.

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Toscana virus isolated from sandflies, Morocco

Cited by 30 publications

References 8 publications

Experimental Infection of Sand Flies by Massilia Virus and Viral Transmission by Co-Feeding on Sugar Meal

Experimental Infection of Sand Flies by Massilia Virus and Viral Transmission by Co-Feeding on Sugar Meal

Distribution and Seasonal Activity of Phlebotominae Sand Flies in Yazd and Its Outskirts, Center of Iran

Broader Geographical Distribution of Toscana Virus in the Mediterranean Region Suggests the Existence of Larger Varieties of Sand Fly Vectors

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