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Maia C. Sand fly-borne diseases in Europe: epidemiological overview and potential triggers for their emergence and re-emergence. J Comp Pathol 2024; 209:6-12. [PMID: 38320331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2024.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) are vectors of human and animal pathogens, including Leishmania species protozoan parasites and viruses of the genus Phlebovirus. In Europe, visceral zoonotic leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum, a deadly disease when left untreated, is endemic in southern countries, and dogs are the main reservoir hosts for human infection. Most phleboviruses cause asymptomatic infections or flu-like syndromes in humans, but Toscana phlebovirus can cause meningitis and encephalitis. These diseases are likely to re-emerge, posing a growing threat to public and animal health. Potential triggers include the movement of humans and dogs, increasing numbers of immunosuppressive conditions, climate change and other human-mediated environmental changes. An overview of the main epidemiological characteristics of the pathogens transmitted by sand flies in Europe and the potential triggers involved in their emergence and re-emergence are reviewed here. There is a need to implement mandatory notification of human and canine leishmaniases and human phleboviruses and coordinated epidemiological surveillance programmes at a European level, and to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and citizens about sand fly-borne diseases, following a One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira, 100, 1348-009, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Amaro F, Vilares A, Martins S, Reis T, Osório HC, Alves MJ, Gargaté MJ. Co-Circulation of Leishmania Parasites and Phleboviruses in a Population of Sand Flies Collected in the South of Portugal. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 9:3. [PMID: 38276633 PMCID: PMC10821132 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In the Old World, phlebotomine sand flies from the genus Phlebotomus are implicated in the transmission of Leishmania spp. parasites (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and viruses belonging to the genus Phlebovirus (Bunyavirales: Phenuiviridae). Two of the five sand fly species known to occur in Portugal, Phlebotomus perniciosus and Ph. ariasi, the former being the most ubiquitous, are recognized vectors of Leishmania infantum, which causes visceral leishmaniasis, the most prevalent form of leishmaniasis in the country. Phlebotomus perniciosus is also the vector of the neurotropic Toscana virus, which can cause aseptic meningitis. Entomological surveillance is essential to provide fundamental data about the presence of vectors and the pathogens they can carry. As such, and given the lack of data in Portugal, an entomological survey took place in the Algarve, the southernmost region of the country, from May to October 2018. Polymerase chain reaction assays were performed in order to detect the presence of the above-mentioned pathogens in sand fly pools. Not only were both Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses detected during this study, but more importantly, it was the first time their co-circulation was verified in the same sand fly population collected in Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Amaro
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, No. 5, 2965-575 Águas de Moura, Portugal; (H.C.O.); (M.J.A.)
- Environment and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Environmental Health Institute, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Centre for Animal Science Studies (CECA), University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Vilares
- National Reference Laboratory of Parasitic and Fungal Infections, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.V.); (S.M.); (T.R.); (M.J.G.)
| | - Susana Martins
- National Reference Laboratory of Parasitic and Fungal Infections, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.V.); (S.M.); (T.R.); (M.J.G.)
| | - Tânia Reis
- National Reference Laboratory of Parasitic and Fungal Infections, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.V.); (S.M.); (T.R.); (M.J.G.)
| | - Hugo Costa Osório
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, No. 5, 2965-575 Águas de Moura, Portugal; (H.C.O.); (M.J.A.)
- Environment and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Environmental Health Institute, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria João Alves
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, No. 5, 2965-575 Águas de Moura, Portugal; (H.C.O.); (M.J.A.)
- Environment and Infectious Diseases Research Group, Environmental Health Institute, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Centre for Animal Science Studies (CECA), University of Porto, 4050-453 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Gargaté
- National Reference Laboratory of Parasitic and Fungal Infections, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.V.); (S.M.); (T.R.); (M.J.G.)
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Troncos G, Popuche D, Adhikari BN, Long KA, Ríos J, Valerio M, Guevara C, Cer RZ, Bishop-Lilly KA, Ampuero JS, Silva M, Cruz CD. Novel Echarate Virus Variant Isolated from Patient with Febrile Illness, Chanchamayo, Peru. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1908-1912. [PMID: 37610254 PMCID: PMC10461681 DOI: 10.3201/eid2909.230374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A new phlebovirus variant was isolated from an acute febrile patient in Chanchamayo, Peru. Genome characterization and p-distance analyses based on complete open reading frames revealed that the virus is probably a natural reassortant of the Echarate virus (large and small segments) with a yet-unidentified phlebovirus (M segment).
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New Isolation of Ponticelli III Virus ( Bunyavirales: Phenuiviridae) in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020422. [PMID: 36851636 PMCID: PMC9964127 DOI: 10.3390/v15020422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of newly described sandfly-borne phleboviruses has been steadily growing in recent years. Some phleboviruses are human pathogens, but their health relevance is largely uncharacterized. We aimed to investigate the circulation of these viruses in the Emilia-Romagna region where several have already been described. A total of 482 sandflies were collected in a site in Reggio Emilia in 2019 and 2020. Sandflies collected in 2020 were grouped in 21 pools with a maximum of 25 sandflies per pool, submitted to real time PCR, and isolated in Vero cell culture. Complete genome sequencing showed the isolation of a strain of a Ponticelli III virus. This virus, which belongs to the species Adana phlebovirus, differed in the M segment from the Ponticelli I and Ponticelli II viruses. Analysis performed on the genomic segments of the newly isolated virus compared with other phleboviruses highlighted a strong purifying selection in the L segments, and different substitution saturation, highest in the M segments. Future research should address the ecological processes driving the occurrence of these novel phleboviruses and their possible impact on public health.
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Sandfly-Borne Phleboviruses in Portugal: Four and Still Counting. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081768. [PMID: 36016390 PMCID: PMC9413822 DOI: 10.3390/v14081768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
According to ICTV, there are currently 66 known phlebovirus species. More than 40 of these viruses were isolated or detected in phlebotomine sandflies and some of them are known pathogens. In Portugal, information about sandfly-borne phleboviruses is scarce and scattered sandfly-borne diseases are neglected and often not considered in differential diagnoses. The main objective of this work was to gather the existing information and to raise awareness about the circulating phleboviruses in this country. To date, Massilia and Alcube phleboviruses have been isolated from sandflies in southern Portugal. Human infections with Toscana and Sicilian phleboviruses have been reported, as well as seroprevalence in cats and dogs. More studies are needed in order to understand if the viruses isolated during the entomological surveys have an impact on human health and to fully understand the real importance of the already recognized pathogens in our country.
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Mammals Preferred: Reassortment of Batai and Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus Occurs in Mammalian but Not Insect Cells. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091702. [PMID: 34578285 PMCID: PMC8473249 DOI: 10.3390/v13091702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Reassortment is a viral genome-segment recomposition known for many viruses, including the orthobunyaviruses. The co-infection of a host cell with two viruses of the same serogroup, such as the Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus and the Batai orthobunyavirus, can give rise to novel viruses. One example is the Ngari virus, which has caused major outbreaks of human infections in Central Africa. This study aimed to investigate the potential for reassortment of Bunyamwera orthobunyavirus and the Batai orthobunyavirus during co-infection studies and the replication properties of the reassortants in different mammalian and insect cell lines. In the co-infection studies, a Ngari-like virus reassortant and a novel reassortant virus, the Batunya virus, arose in BHK-21 cells (Mesocricetus auratus). In contrast, no reassortment was observed in the examined insect cells from Aedes aegypti (Aag2) and Aedes albopictus (U4.4 and C6/36). The growth kinetic experiments show that both reassortants are replicated to higher titers in some mammalian cell lines than the parental viruses but show impaired growth in insect cell lines.
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Maia C, Ayhan N, Cristóvão JM, Pereira A, Charrel R. Human seroprevalence of Toscana virus and Sicilian phlebovirus in the southwest of Portugal. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 41:137-141. [PMID: 34389911 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-021-04332-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Toscana virus (TOSV) is emergent in the Mediterranean region and responsible for outbreaks of encephalitis or meningoencephalitis. Sicilian phlebovirus (SFSV) cause epidemics of febrile illness during the summer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of antibodies against TOSV and SFSV in humans in the southwest of Portugal. Neutralizing antibodies to TOSV and SFSV were respectively detected in 5.3% and 4.3% out of 400 human sera tested highlighting the need to increase public health awareness regarding phleboviruses and to include them in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with fever of short duration and neurological manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHMT), Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Nazli Ayhan
- Unité Des Virus Emergents UVE, Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - José Manuel Cristóvão
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHMT), Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - André Pereira
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHMT), Instituto de Higiene E Medicina Tropical (IHMT), Universidade Nova de Lisboa (UNL), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Remi Charrel
- Unité Des Virus Emergents UVE, Aix Marseille Univ, IRD 190, INSERM 1207, IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Amaro F, Zé-Zé L, Lourenço J, Giovanetti M, Becker SC, Alves MJ. Phylogenetic Analysis of Massilia phlebovirus in Portugal. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071412. [PMID: 34372617 PMCID: PMC8310352 DOI: 10.3390/v13071412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last two decades, molecular surveys of arboviruses have enabled the identification of several new viruses, contributing to the knowledge of viral diversity and providing important epidemiological data regarding possible new emerging viruses. A combination of diagnostic assays, Illumina sequencing and phylogenetic inference are here used to characterize two new Massilia phlebovirus strains isolated from sandflies collected in the Arrábida region, Portugal. Whole genome sequence analysis enabled their identification as reassortants and the recognition of genomic variants co-circulating in Portugal. Much is still unknown about the life cycle, geographic range, evolutionary forces and public health importance of these viruses in Portugal and elsewhere, and more studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fátima Amaro
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida da Liberdade n. 5, 2965-575 Águas de Moura, Portugal; (L.Z.-Z.); (M.J.A.)
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Prof. Egas Moniz, Ed. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - Líbia Zé-Zé
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida da Liberdade n. 5, 2965-575 Águas de Moura, Portugal; (L.Z.-Z.); (M.J.A.)
- Campus da FCUL, Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Edificio TecLabs, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Lourenço
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK;
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Laboratório de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21045-900, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Genética Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos n. 6627, Pampula, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Stefanie Christine Becker
- Centre for Infection Medicine, Institute of Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Maria João Alves
- Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Avenida da Liberdade n. 5, 2965-575 Águas de Moura, Portugal; (L.Z.-Z.); (M.J.A.)
- Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Prof. Egas Moniz, Ed. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal
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Calisher CH, Calzolari M. Taxonomy of Phleboviruses, Emphasizing Those That Are Sandfly-Borne. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050918. [PMID: 34063467 PMCID: PMC8156068 DOI: 10.3390/v13050918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sandfly-borne phleboviruses (phylum Negarnavaricota, realm Riboviria, kingdom Orthornavirae, genus Phlebovirus) comprise three genome segments of ribonucleic acid (RNA) and which encode an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which they use to transcribe the viral RNA genome into messenger RNA and to replicate the genome. At least some of these viruses cause mild 3-day fevers in humans but some also have been associated with more severe illnesses in humans. The 67 recognized phleboviruses are listed here in a table composed by the authors from International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses reports as well as the scientific literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles H. Calisher
- Arthropod-Borne and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences, 3195 Rampart Rd., Foothills Campus, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1690, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Mattia Calzolari
- Laboratorio Entomologia Sanitaria, Sede Territoriale di Reggio Emilia, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell′Emilia Romagna “B. Ubertini” via Pitagora 2, 42124 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
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Seroprevalence of Toscana Virus and Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus in European Bat Colonies Measured Using a Neutralization Test. Viruses 2021; 13:v13010088. [PMID: 33440618 PMCID: PMC7826795 DOI: 10.3390/v13010088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toscana phlebovirus (TOSV) and Sicilian phlebovirus (SFSV) are endemic in the Mediterranean area where they are transmitted to humans by infected sandflies. Vertebrates of several species have been postulated to act as reservoirs of these viruses, but convincing evidence is still awaited. Among them, bats have been suggested, however documented evidence is lacking. Here we tested a total of 329 bats belonging to eight species collected from twelve localities in southern Spain for the presence of neutralizing antibodies specific to TOSV and SFSV. Positive sera were detected in Schreiber’s long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii), mouse-eared Myotis (Myotis myotis), European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis), and common serotine (Eptesicus serotinus) with the latter showing the highest prevalence rates for SFSV (22.6%) and TOSV (10%). There was no difference between females and males. Results suggest that bats are not likely to play a major role in the natural cycle of these two sandfly-borne phleboviruses. However, large breeding colonies of bats can be used as sentinels for surveillance of the presence of such viruses in a given locality. In addition, capture–recapture studies should be initiated in order to understand better the dynamics of TOSV and SFSV in bat populations.
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Davó L, Herrero L, Sánchez-Seco MP, Labiod N, Roiz D, Gómez-Díaz E, Hernandez L, Figuerola J, Vázquez A. Real-time RT-PCR assay to detect Granada virus and the related Massilia and Arrabida phleboviruses. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:270. [PMID: 32471505 PMCID: PMC7257231 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Granada virus belongs to the genus Phlebovirus within the Naples serocomplex and was detected for the first time in sand flies from Spain in 2003. Seroprevalence studies have revealed that Granada virus may infect humans with most cases being asymptomatic. Moreover, recent studies in vector samples revealed that the related Massilia and Arrabida phleboviruses could be also circulating in Spain. The objective of this study was to develop and assess a new sensitive real-time RT-PCR assay for Granada virus diagnosis able to detect the related phleboviruses Massilia and Arrabida. METHODS Two specific primers and one unique probe to detect Granada, Massilia and Arrabida viruses, without differentiating between them, were designed targeting the conserved L-segment of their genome. Sensitivity was assessed using 10-fold serial dilutions of quantified in vitro DNA samples. Specificity was evaluated by testing different genomic RNA extracted from other representative phleboviruses. The new assay was used for virus detection in sand flies collected in 2012 from the Balearic Archipelago, a touristic hotspot in the Mediterranean. RESULTS The real-time RT-PCR assay exhibited a sensitivity per reaction of 19 copies for Granada and Arrabida, and 16 copies for Massilia. No other related phleboviruses were detected. From the 37 pools of sand fly samples studied from four different Balearic Islands, we detected one positive in the island of Cabrera. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the method described here is the first real-time RT-PCR designed to detect Granada virus and the related Massilia and Arrabida phleboviruses. The study demonstrated that this is a rapid, robust and reliable assay for the accurate diagnosis of human infections as well as for virus surveillance in vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Davó
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220, Madrid, Spain.,Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Herrero
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Nuria Labiod
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Roiz
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 41092, Seville, Spain.,MIVEGEC, Univ. Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, 34090, Montpellier, France
| | - Elena Gómez-Díaz
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 41092, Seville, Spain.,Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina López-Neyra (IPBLN), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18016, Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Lourdes Hernandez
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 41092, Seville, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Vázquez
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28220, Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.
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Fares W, Dachraoui K, Barhoumi W, Cherni S, Chelbi I, Zhioua E. Co-circulation of Toscana virus and Leishmania infantum in a focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis from Central Tunisia. Acta Trop 2020; 204:105342. [PMID: 31954137 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In the Mediterranean basin, sand flies are vectors of Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses affecting humans and animals. In this study, we aimed to investigate phlebovirus and Leishmania parasites circulating in a focus of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) located in a highly irrigated area within the arid Central Tunisia, known mainly to be endemic for zoonotic cutaenous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused Leishmania major and transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi. Sand flies were collected using CDC light traps in the village of Saddaguia, an emergent focus of ZVL located in Central Tunisia during September-October 2014, 2015, and 2016. Pools of live female sand flies were screened for phleboviruses and Leishmania by nested PCR in the polymerase gene and kinetoplast minicircle DNA, respectively. Dead sand flies were identified morphologically to species level. Sand flies of the subgenus Larroussius mainly Phlebotomus perfiliewi, Phlebotomus perniciosus, and Phlebotomus longicuspis were predominant in this ZVL focus compared to P. papatasi. A total of 1932, 1740, and 444 sand flies were tested in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Pathogen screening performed on 4116 sand flies distributed in 148 pools revealed the presence of Leishmania infantum and Toscana virus. The minimum infection rates of sand flies with TOSV in 2014, 2015, and 2016 were 0.05%, 011%, and 0.22%, respectively. The minimum infection rates of sand flies with L. infantum in 2014, 2015, and 2016 were 0.25%, 012%, and 0.79%, respectively. No L. major was detected during the 3-years investigation in this ZVL focus. Our results showed clearly the endemic co-circulation of TOSV and L. infantum in this emergent ZVL focus. However, no co-infection of TOSV and L. infantum was detected in any of the sand fly pools investigated during the three years period. TOSV was isolated from positive pools in 2015. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Tunisian strains of TOSV belonged to the sublineage A. Based on the present findings, our results provided strong evidence that TOSV and L. infantum are transmitted by the same predominant sand fly species of the subgenus Larroussius, and subsequently, humans and dogs could be co-infected through co-infected or successive infected bites. Our results showed clearly that the development of irrigation in arid areas contributed significantly to the establishment of stable transmission cycles of L. infantum and TOSV and subsequently to the emergence of a ZVL focus within this arid bio-geographical area characterized by the presence of multiple foci of ZCL located outside the study site. Thus, more studies are needed to better understand the impact of RNA viruses shared by vectors and reservoir hosts of L. infantum on the development of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis.
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Wylezich C, Papa A, Beer M, Höper D. A Versatile Sample Processing Workflow for Metagenomic Pathogen Detection. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13108. [PMID: 30166611 PMCID: PMC6117295 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31496-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Metagenomics is currently the only generic method for pathogen detection. Starting from RNA allows the assessment of the whole sample community including RNA viruses. Here we present our modular concerted protocol for sample processing for diagnostic metagenomics analysis of human, animal, and food samples. The workflow does not rely on dedicated amplification steps at any stage in the process and, in contrast to published methods, libraries prepared accordingly will yield only minute amounts of unclassifiable reads. We confirmed the performance of the approach using a spectrum of pathogen/matrix-combinations showing it has the potential to become a commonly usable analytical framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Wylezich
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
| | - Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Martin Beer
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Dirk Höper
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), 17493, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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Calzolari M, Chiapponi C, Bellini R, Bonilauri P, Lelli D, Moreno A, Barbieri I, Pongolini S, Lavazza A, Dottori M. Isolation of three novel reassortant phleboviruses, Ponticelli I, II, III, and of Toscana virus from field-collected sand flies in Italy. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:84. [PMID: 29409533 PMCID: PMC5802049 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2668-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Different phleboviruses are important pathogens for humans; most of these viruses are transmitted by sand flies. An increasing number of new phleboviruses have been reported over the past decade, especially in Mediterranean countries, mainly via their detection in sand flies. Results At least five different phleboviruses co-circulated in sand flies that were collected in three sites in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) in the summer of 2013. The well-known Toscana virus (TOSV) was isolated; three new, closely related phleboviruses differing in their M segments and tentatively named Ponticelli I, Ponticelli II and Ponticelli III virus, respectively, were isolated; a fifth putative phlebovirus, related to the sand fly fever Naples phlebovirus species, was also detected. The co-circulation, in a restricted area, of three viruses characterized by different M segments, likely resulted from reassortment events. According to the phylogenetic analysis of complete genome sequences, the TOSV belongs to clade A, together with other Italian isolates, while the Ponticelli viruses fall within the Salehabad phlebovirus species. Conclusions Results highlight an unexpected diversity of phleboviruses that co-circulate in the same area, suggesting that interactions likely occur amongst them, that can present challenges for their correct identification. The co-circulation of different phleboviruses appears to be common, and the bionomics of sand fly populations seem to play a relevant role. Such a complex situation emphasizes the need for detailed investigations of the biology of these viruses to better characterize their pathogenic potential for mammals, including humans. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2668-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Calzolari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy.
| | - Chiara Chiapponi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Romeo Bellini
- Centro Agricoltura Ambiente "Giorgio Nicoli", Crevalcore, Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonilauri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Davide Lelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Ana Moreno
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Barbieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Stefano Pongolini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
| | - Michele Dottori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna "Bruno Ubertini", Brescia, Italy
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15
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Alkan C, Moin Vaziri V, Ayhan N, Badakhshan M, Bichaud L, Rahbarian N, Javadian EA, Alten B, de Lamballerie X, Charrel RN. Isolation and sequencing of Dashli virus, a novel Sicilian-like virus in sandflies from Iran; genetic and phylogenetic evidence for the creation of one novel species within the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005978. [PMID: 29281639 PMCID: PMC5760094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of phleboviruses that cause sandfly fever or meningitis with significant implications for public health. Although several strains of these viruses had been isolated in Iran in the late 1970's, there was no recent data about the present situation at the outset of this study. Entomological investigations performed in 2009 and 2011 in Iran collected 4,770 sandflies from 10 different regions. Based on morphological identification, they were sorted into 315 pools according to species, sex, trapping station and date of capture. A phlebovirus, provisionally named Dashli virus (DASHV), was isolated from one pool of Sergentomyia spp, and subsequently DASHV RNA was detected in a second pool of Phlebotomus papatasi. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses based on complete coding genomic sequences indicated that (i) DASHV is most closely related to the Iranian isolates of Sandfly fever Sicilian virus [SFSV], (ii) there is a common ancestor to DASHV, Sandfly fever Sicilian- (SFS) and SFS-like viruses isolated in Italy, India, Turkey, and Cyprus (lineage I), (iii) DASHV is more distantly related with Corfou and Toros viruses (lineage II) although common ancestry is supported with 100% bootstrap, (iii) lineage I can be subdivided into sublineage Ia including all SFSV, SFCV and SFTV except those isolated in Iran which forms sublineage Ib (DASHV). Accordingly, we suggest to approve Sandfly fever Sicilian virus species consisting of the all aforementioned viruses. Owing that most of these viruses have been identified in human patients with febrile illness, DASHV should be considered as a potential human pathogen in Iran. Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of phleboviruses that cause sandfly fever or meningitis with significant implications for public health. Although several strains of these viruses had been isolated in Iran in the late 1970's, there was no recent data about the present situation at the outset of this study. Entomological investigations performed in 2009 and 2011 in Iran collected 4,770 sandflies from 10 different regions. A phlebovirus, provisionally named Dashli virus (DASHV), was isolated / detected in two pools. DASHV strain was isolated in cell culture and complete genome sequence was determined. Sequence analysis indicated that (i) DASHV is most closely related to the Iranian isolates of Sandfly fever Sicilian virus [SFSV], a virus that is known to cause self-resolutive incapacitating febrile illness in humans, (ii) there is a common ancestor to DASHV and all other variants of SFSV isolated in Italy, India, Turkey, and Cyprus (lineage I), (iii) DASHV is more distantly related with Corfou and Toros viruses (lineage II) although common ancestry is supported with 100% bootstrap, (iii) lineage I can be subdivided into sublineage Ia including all SFSV strains, whereas Iranian viruses are most closely related and should be individualized as DASHV (sublineage Ib). Although discovered first in the 1940's, SFSV is still listed as "tentative species" by the International Committee for Taxonomy of Viruses. Based on the results described in this study, we propose to approve Sandfly fever Sicilian virus species. Owing that most of these viruses have been identified in human patients with febrile illness, DASHV should be considered as a potential human pathogen in Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cigdem Alkan
- UMR "Unité des Virus Emergents" (UVE Aix-Marseille Univ—IRD 190—Inserm 1207—EHESP), Marseille, France
- Fondation IHU Mediterranee Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Vahideh Moin Vaziri
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- * E-mail: (RNC); (VMV)
| | - Nazli Ayhan
- UMR "Unité des Virus Emergents" (UVE Aix-Marseille Univ—IRD 190—Inserm 1207—EHESP), Marseille, France
- Fondation IHU Mediterranee Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Mehdi Badakhshan
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Laurence Bichaud
- UMR "Unité des Virus Emergents" (UVE Aix-Marseille Univ—IRD 190—Inserm 1207—EHESP), Marseille, France
- Fondation IHU Mediterranee Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Nourina Rahbarian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ezat-Aldin Javadian
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bulent Alten
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology Section, ESR Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Xavier de Lamballerie
- UMR "Unité des Virus Emergents" (UVE Aix-Marseille Univ—IRD 190—Inserm 1207—EHESP), Marseille, France
- Fondation IHU Mediterranee Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Remi N. Charrel
- UMR "Unité des Virus Emergents" (UVE Aix-Marseille Univ—IRD 190—Inserm 1207—EHESP), Marseille, France
- Fondation IHU Mediterranee Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
- * E-mail: (RNC); (VMV)
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16
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Ayhan N, Alten B, Ivovic V, Dvořák V, Martinkovic F, Omeragic J, Stefanovska J, Petric D, Vaselek S, Baymak D, Kasap OE, Volf P, Charrel RN. Direct evidence for an expanded circulation area of the recently identified Balkan virus (Sandfly fever Naples virus species) in several countries of the Balkan archipelago. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:402. [PMID: 28851425 PMCID: PMC5575908 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2334-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, Balkan virus (BALKV, family Phenuiviridae, genus Phlebovirus) was discovered in sand flies collected in Albania and genetically characterised as a member of the Sandfly fever Naples species complex. To gain knowledge concerning the geographical area where exposure to BALKV exists, entomological surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2015, in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), Kosovo, Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. Results A total of 2830 sand flies were trapped during 2014 and 2015 campaigns, and organised as 263 pools. BALKV RNA was detected in four pools from Croatia and in one pool from BH. Phylogenetic relationships were examined using sequences in the S and L RNA segments. Study of the diversity between BALKV sequences from Albania, Croatia and BH showed that Albanian sequences were the most divergent (9–11% [NP]) from the others and that Croatian and BH sequences were grouped (0.9–5.4% [NP]; 0.7–5% [L]). The sand fly infection rate of BALKV was 0.26% in BH and 0.27% in Croatia. Identification of the species content of pools using cox1 and cytb partial regions showed that the five BALKV positive pools contained Phlebotomus neglectus DNA; in four pools, P neglectus was the unique species, whereas P. tobbi DNA was also detected in one pool. Conclusions We report here (i) the first direct evidence that the Balkan virus initially described in coastal Albania has a much wider dissemination area than originally believed, (ii) two real-time RT-PCR assays that may be useful for further screening of patients presenting with fever of unknown origin that may be caused by Balkan virus infection, (iii) entomological results suggesting that Balkan virus is likely transmitted by Phlebotomus neglectus, and possibly other sand fly species of the subgenus Larroussius. So far, BALKV has been detected only in sand flies. Whether BALKV can cause disease in humans is unknown and remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazli Ayhan
- UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Viralesˮ (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP - IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - Bulent Alten
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology Division, VERG Labs, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Vit Dvořák
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Franjo Martinkovic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases with Clinics, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasmin Omeragic
- Department of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 90, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Jovana Stefanovska
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
| | - Dusan Petric
- Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Slavica Vaselek
- Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory for Medical and Veterinary Entomology, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Devrim Baymak
- National Institute of Public Health, Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Ozge E Kasap
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology Division, VERG Labs, Hacettepe University, Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Petr Volf
- Faculty of Science, Department of Parasitology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Remi N Charrel
- UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Viralesˮ (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP - IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France.
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17
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Phlebotomine sand fly-borne pathogens in the Mediterranean Basin: Human leishmaniasis and phlebovirus infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005660. [PMID: 28796786 PMCID: PMC5552025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogens transmitted to humans by phlebotomine sand flies are neglected, as they cause infectious diseases that are not on the priority list of national and international public health systems. However, the infections caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus and viruses belonging to the Phlebovirus genus (family Phenuiviridae)—the most significant group of viruses transmitted by sand flies—have a relevant role for human pathology. These infections are emerging in the Mediterranean region and will likely spread in forthcoming decades, posing a complex threat to human health. Four species and 2 hybrid strains of Leishmania are pathogenic for humans in the Mediterranean Basin, with an estimated annual incidence of 239,500–393,600 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and 1,200–2,000 cases of visceral leishmaniasis. Among the phleboviruses, Toscana virus can cause neuroinvasive infections, while other phleboviruses are responsible for a typical “3-day fever”; the actual incidence of Phlebovirus infections in the Mediterranean area is unknown, although at least 250 million people are exposed. Here, we reviewed the current literature on epidemiology of sand fly–borne infections in the Mediterranean Basin, with a focus on humans. Our analysis indicates the need for increased public health activities directed to determine the disease burden of these infections as well as to improve their surveillance. Among the emerging challenges concerning sand fly–borne pathogens, the relationships between sand fly–borne protozoa and viruses should be considered in future studies, including epidemiological links between Leishmania and phleboviruses as well as the conditional capacity for these pathogens to be involved in interactions that may evolve towards increased virulence.
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18
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Ayhan N, Charrel RN. Of phlebotomines (sandflies) and viruses: a comprehensive perspective on a complex situation. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2017; 22:117-124. [PMID: 28805633 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2017.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Old World sandfly-borne phleboviruses are classified into three serological complexes: Sandfly fever Sicilian, Sandfly fever Naples and Salehabad. Human pathogens (febrile illness ['sandfly fever'], neuroinvasive infections) belong to the two first complexes. The increasing number of newly discovered sandfly-borne phleboviruses raises concerns about their medical and veterinary importance. They occupy a wide geographic area from Mediterranean basin to North Africa and the Middle East to the central Asia. At least nine species of sandflies can transmit these viruses. Recent results suggest that sandfly vectors are not as specific for viruses as initially believed. Recent seroprevalence studies demonstrate that humans and domestic animals are heavily exposed. Specific molecular diagnostic methods must be developed and implemented in clinical microbiology laboratories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazli Ayhan
- UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP - IHU Mediterranee Infection), Marseille, France
| | - Remi N Charrel
- UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP - IHU Mediterranee Infection), Marseille, France; Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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19
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Ayhan N, Baklouti A, Prudhomme J, Walder G, Amaro F, Alten B, Moutailler S, Ergunay K, Charrel RN, Huemer H. Practical Guidelines for Studies on Sandfly-Borne Phleboviruses: Part I: Important Points to Consider Ante Field Work. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:73-80. [PMID: 28055576 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to provide practical information to help researchers intending to perform "from field to laboratory" studies on phleboviruses transmitted by sandflies. This guideline addresses the different steps to be considered starting from the field collection of sandflies to the laboratory techniques aiming at the detection, isolation, and characterization of sandfly-borne phleboviruses. In this guideline article, we address the impact of various types of data for an optimal organization of the field work intending to collect wildlife sandflies for subsequent virology studies. Analysis of different data sets should result in the geographic positioning of the trapping stations. The overall planning, the equipment and tools needed, the manpower to be deployed, and the logistics to be anticipated and set up should be organized according to the objectives of the field study for optimal efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazli Ayhan
- 1 UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ. - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille , Marseille, France
| | - Amal Baklouti
- 1 UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ. - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille , Marseille, France
| | - Jorian Prudhomme
- 2 Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier) , Montpellier, France
| | | | - Fatima Amaro
- 4 Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Ricardo Jorge , Águas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Bulent Alten
- 5 Ecology Section, ESRL Laboratories, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sara Moutailler
- 6 Animal Health Laboratory , UMR BIPAR, ANSES Maisons-Alfort, Paris, France
| | - Koray Ergunay
- 7 Virology Unit, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey
| | - Remi N Charrel
- 1 UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ. - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille , Marseille, France
| | - Hartwig Huemer
- 8 Division of Virology, Departments Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Innsbruck Medical University , Innsbruck, Austria
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20
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Huemer H, Prudhomme J, Amaro F, Baklouti A, Walder G, Alten B, Moutailler S, Ergunay K, Charrel RN, Ayhan N. Practical Guidelines for Studies on Sandfly-Borne Phleboviruses: Part II: Important Points to Consider for Fieldwork and Subsequent Virological Screening. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2017; 17:81-90. [PMID: 28055572 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2016.1965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this series of review articles entitled "Practical guidelines for studies on sandfly-borne phleboviruses," the important points to be considered at the prefieldwork stage were addressed in part I, including parameters to be taken into account to define the geographic area for sand fly trapping and how to organize field collections. Here in part II, the following points have been addressed: (1) factors influencing the efficacy of trapping and the different types of traps with their respective advantages and drawbacks, (2) how to process the trapped sand flies in the field, and (3) how to process the sand flies in the virology laboratory. These chapters provide the necessary information for adopting the most appropriate procedures depending on the requirements of the study. In addition, practical information gathered through years of experience of translational projects is included to help newcomers to fieldwork studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hartwig Huemer
- 1 Division for Human Medicine, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) , Vienna, Austria
| | - Jorian Prudhomme
- 2 Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Universite Montpellier) , Montpellier, France
| | - Fatima Amaro
- 3 Centre for Vectors and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institute of Health Ricardo Jorge , Aguas de Moura, Portugal
| | - Amal Baklouti
- 4 UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-INSERM 1207-EHESP) , Marseille, France .,5 Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille , Marseille, France
| | | | - Bulent Alten
- 7 EBAL-VERG Laboratories, Ecology Division, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Science and Engineering Institute, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sara Moutailler
- 8 UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory , ANSES, Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Koray Ergunay
- 9 Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University , Ankara, Turkey
| | - Remi N Charrel
- 4 UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-INSERM 1207-EHESP) , Marseille, France .,5 Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille , Marseille, France .,10 Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University , Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nazli Ayhan
- 4 UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-INSERM 1207-EHESP) , Marseille, France .,5 Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille , Marseille, France
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21
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Nunes-Neto JP, Souza WMD, Acrani GO, Romeiro MF, Fumagalli M, Vieira LC, Medeiros DBDA, Lima JA, Lima CPSD, Cardoso JF, Figueiredo LTM, Silva SPD, Tesh R, Nunes MRT, Vasconcelos PFDC. Characterization of the Bujaru, frijoles and Tapara antigenic complexes into the sandfly fever group and two unclassified phleboviruses from Brazil. J Gen Virol 2017; 98:585-594. [PMID: 28141497 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Phlebovirus includes the sandfly fever viruses and tick-transmitted uukuviruses. Sandfly fever group viruses have been isolated from various vertebrate species and from phlebotomines and occasionally alternative arthropods, e.g. mosquitoes, or ceratopogonids of the genus Culicoides. Uukuniemi serogroup viruses have been isolated from various vertebrate species and from ticks. Despite the public health importance of some viruses of the genus, the genomic diversity of phleboviruses that could be incriminated as causative of human or veterinary diseases remains underestimated. Here we describe the nearly complete sequences and genomic characterization of two phleboviruses belonging to the Bujaru antigenic complex: the prototype species and the Munguba virus. Furthermore, six previously unclassified phleboviruses isolated in Brazil were also sequenced and characterized: Ambe, Anhanga, Joa, Uriurana, Urucuri and Tapara viruses. The results of the phylogenetic analysis indicated that these viruses group with viruses of three antigenic complexes (Bujaru, Tapara and frijoles clades), with two unclassified phleboviruses. We also performed genomic reassortment analysis and confirmed that there were no events for the viruses described in this study, but we found a new potential reassortment in Medjerda Valley virus, which contains S and L segments of Arbia virus, and probably a unique M segment, both viruses circulate in the same geographic region, indicating these two isolates represent two distinct viruses. This study provides insights into the genetic diversity, classification and evolution of phleboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquim Pinto Nunes-Neto
- Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | - William Marciel de Souza
- Virology Research Center, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | | | - Marilia Farignoli Romeiro
- Virology Research Center, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - MarcílioJorge Fumagalli
- Virology Research Center, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz Carlos Vieira
- Virology Research Center, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana Abreu Lima
- Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luiz Tadeu Moraes Figueiredo
- Virology Research Center, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto of University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Robert Tesh
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Texas, USA
| | - Márcio Roberto Teixeira Nunes
- Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil.,Center for Technological Innovation, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Texas, USA
| | - Pedro Fernando da Costa Vasconcelos
- Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ananindeua, Pará, Brazil.,Department of Pathology, Pará State University, Belém, Pará, Brazil
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Papa A. Emerging arboviral human diseases in Southern Europe. J Med Virol 2017; 89:1315-1322. [PMID: 28252204 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Southern Europe is characterized by unique landscape and climate which attract tourists, but also arthropod vectors, some of them carrying pathogens. Among several arboviral diseases that emerged in the region during the last decade, West Nile fever accounted for high number of human cases and fatalities, while Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever expanded its geographic distribution, and is considered as a real threat for Europe. Viruses evolve rapidly and acquire mutations making themselves stronger and naive populations more vulnerable. In an effort to tackle efficiently the emerging arboviral diseases, preparedness and strategic surveillance are needed for the early detection of the pathogen and containment and mitigation of probable outbreaks. In this review, the main human arboviral diseases that emerged in Southern Europe are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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23
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Serological association between Leishmania infantum and sand fly fever Sicilian (but not Toscana) virus in sheltered dogs from southern Portugal. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:92. [PMID: 28285587 PMCID: PMC5346850 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2023-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Phlebotomine sand fly-borne diseases such as leishmanioses and phleboviruses are emerging threats to animal and public health. Canine leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania infantum is an endemic zoonosis in Portugal. Antibodies to Toscana virus (TOSV) and sand fly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) were also reported in dogs from the south of the country. The aim of this work was to evaluate a possible association between exposure to L. infantum, TOSV and SFSV in sheltered dogs from the south of Portugal. Results Seventy-six (13.1%) out of 581 dogs were seropositive for L. infantum, 327 (56.3%) for SFSV and 36 (6.2%) for TOSV. Six dogs were co-exposed with L. infantum and TOSV, 51 with L. infantum and SFSV and 25 with TOSV and SFSV. One dog had antibodies to the three pathogens. Leishmania infantum seroprevalence was significantly higher in pure breed dogs than in mongrels and in dogs with clinical signs while SFSV positivity was significantly higher in males, in pure and cross-breed dogs than in mongrels and in those not treated with insecticides. Seroprevalence for both viruses was significantly higher in dogs over than 7 years-old than in those aged 1–7. A significant association was observed between the presence of antibodies to L. infantum and SFSV. Conclusions The presence of antibodies to several phlebotomine sand fly-borne pathogens in dogs, reinforces the need to implement efficient prophylactic measures to prevent infection among vertebrate hosts including humans. The results also indicate that dogs are good sentinels for assessing human exposure to TOSV and SFSV. Further studies must be performed to elucidate the role of dogs in the dynamics of transmission and if they can play a role as amplifying or reservoir hosts in the natural cycle of these viruses. Public and animal health impacts of these phleboviruses in Portugal should be addressed via serological and virological studies on both phlebotomine sand flies and vertebrate hosts, especially on humans.
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Pereira A, Figueira L, Nunes M, Esteves A, Cotão AJ, Vieira ML, Maia C, Campino L, Parreira R. Multiple Phlebovirus (Bunyaviridae) genetic groups detected in Rhipicephalus , Hyalomma and Dermacentor ticks from southern Portugal. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2017; 8:45-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2016.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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25
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Alwassouf S, Christodoulou V, Bichaud L, Ntais P, Mazeris A, Antoniou M, Charrel RN. Seroprevalence of Sandfly-Borne Phleboviruses Belonging to Three Serocomplexes (Sandfly fever Naples, Sandfly fever Sicilian and Salehabad) in Dogs from Greece and Cyprus Using Neutralization Test. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0005063. [PMID: 27783676 PMCID: PMC5081206 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phleboviruses transmitted by sandflies are endemic in the Mediterranean area. The last decade has witnessed the description of an accumulating number of novel viruses. Although, the risk of exposure of vertebrates is globally assessed, detailed geographic knowledge is poor even in Greece and Cyprus where sandfly fever has been recognized for a long time and repeatedly. A total of 1,250 dogs from mainland Greece and Greek archipelago on one hand and 422 dogs from Cyprus on the other hand have been sampled and tested for neutralising antibodies against Toscana virus (TOSV), Sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), Arbia virus, and Adana virus i.e. four viruses belonging to the 3 sandfly-borne serocomplexes known to circulate actively in the Mediterranean area. Our results showed that (i) SFSV is highly prevalent with 71.9% (50.7-84.9% depending on the region) in Greece and 60.2% (40.0-72.6%) in Cyprus; (ii) TOSV ranked second with 4.4% (0-15.4%) in Greece and 8.4% (0-11.4%) in Cyprus; (iii) Salehabad viruses (Arbia and Adana) displayed also substantial prevalence rates in both countries with values ranging from 0-22.6% depending on the region and on the virus strain used in the test. These results demonstrate that circulation of viruses transmitted by sand flies can be estimated qualitatively using dog sera. As reported in other regions of the Mediterranean, these results indicate that it is time to shift these viruses from the "neglected" status to the "priority" status in order to stimulate studies aiming at defining and quantifying their medical and veterinary importance and possible public health impact. Specifically, viruses belonging to the Sandfly fever Sicilian complex should be given careful consideration. This calls for implementation of direct and indirect diagnosis in National reference centers and in hospital microbiology laboratories and systematic testing of unelucidated febrile illness and central and peripheral nervous system febrile manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaf Alwassouf
- UMR “Emergence des Pathologies Virales” (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Marseille, France
- Institut hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Laurence Bichaud
- UMR “Emergence des Pathologies Virales” (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Marseille, France
- Institut hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Pantelis Ntais
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes. Heraklion. Crete, Greece
| | | | - Maria Antoniou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Voutes. Heraklion. Crete, Greece
| | - Remi N. Charrel
- UMR “Emergence des Pathologies Virales” (EPV: Aix-Marseille Univ - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Marseille, France
- Institut hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
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26
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Alwassouf S, Maia C, Ayhan N, Coimbra M, Cristovao JM, Richet H, Bichaud L, Campino L, Charrel RN. Neutralization-based seroprevalence of Toscana virus and sandfly fever Sicilian virus in dogs and cats from Portugal. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:2816-2823. [PMID: 27589865 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Sandfly-borne phleboviruses are endemic in the Mediterranean basin. However, levels of exposure of human and animal populations are inadequately researched. Toscana virus (TOSV) is present in Portugal where it causes human infection and disease; in contrast there are few data for sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) which has neither been isolated nor detected by molecular tests and for which there are only limited serological data. The sera collected from 1160 dogs and 189 cats in southern Portugal were tested for the presence of neutralizing antibodies against TOSV and SFSV, two viruses recognized as distinct serocomplexes in the Mediterranean region. Our data showed (i) seropositivity to TOSV and SFSV in dogs at a rate of 6.8 and 50.8 %, respectively, and (ii) that 3.7 % of cats were seropositive for TOSV. TOSV findings are in line with previous results obtained with less stringent serological assays. Our results for SFSV in dogs clearly indicate that the virus is circulating widely and that humans may be exposed to infection via the dogs. Although the presence of SFSV was suggested by haemagglutination inhibition in 4/1690 human sera in 1974, this is the first time, as far as we know, that SFSV has been shown to circulate so widely in dogs in Portugal. Future studies should be directed at isolating strains of SFSV in Portugal from dogs, humans and sandflies collected in high prevalence regions. As dogs appear to be good sentinels for SFSV, their role as a possible reservoir in the natural cycle should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaf Alwassouf
- UMR 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales' (EPV: Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Carla Maia
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHMT, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nazli Ayhan
- UMR 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales' (EPV: Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jose Manuel Cristovao
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHMT, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Herve Richet
- UMR 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales' (EPV: Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Laurence Bichaud
- UMR 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales' (EPV: Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague 2 128 44, Czech Republic
| | - Lenea Campino
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHMT, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Biomedical Sciences and Medicine, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Remi N Charrel
- UMR 'Emergence des Pathologies Virales' (EPV: Aix-Marseille University-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation IHU Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
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27
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Wuerth JD, Weber F. Phleboviruses and the Type I Interferon Response. Viruses 2016; 8:v8060174. [PMID: 27338447 PMCID: PMC4926194 DOI: 10.3390/v8060174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Phlebovirus of the family Bunyaviridae contains a number of emerging virus species which pose a threat to both human and animal health. Most prominent members include Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), sandfly fever Naples virus (SFNV), sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), Toscana virus (TOSV), Punta Toro virus (PTV), and the two new members severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and Heartland virus (HRTV). The nonstructural protein NSs is well established as the main phleboviral virulence factor in the mammalian host. NSs acts as antagonist of the antiviral type I interferon (IFN) system. Recent progress in the elucidation of the molecular functions of a growing list of NSs proteins highlights the astonishing variety of strategies employed by phleboviruses to evade the IFN system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Deborah Wuerth
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen 35392, Germany.
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Institute for Virology, FB10-Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen 35392, Germany.
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28
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Remoli ME, Jiménez M, Fortuna C, Benedetti E, Marchi A, Genovese D, Gramiccia M, Molina R, Ciufolini MG. Phleboviruses detection in Phlebotomus perniciosus from a human leishmaniasis focus in South-West Madrid region, Spain. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:205. [PMID: 27075742 PMCID: PMC4831143 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1488-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phlebotomus-borne (PhB-) viruses are distributed in large areas of the Old World and are widespread throughout the Mediterranean basin, where recent investigations have indicated that virus diversity is higher than initially suspected. Some of these viruses are causes of meningitis, encephalitis and febrile illnesses. In order to monitor the viral presence and the infection rate of PhB-viruses in a recently identified and well characterized human zoonotic leishmaniasis focus in southwestern Madrid, Spain, a sand fly collection was carried out. METHODS Sand fly insects were collected in four stations using CDC light traps during 2012-2013 summer seasons. Screening for Phlebovirus presence both via isolation on Vero cells and via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using degenerated primers targeting a portion of the L segment, was performed. The serological identity and phylogenetic relationships on the three genomic segments of the viral isolates were carried out. RESULTS Six viral isolates belonging to different serological complexes of the genus Phlebovirus were obtained from fifty pools on a total of 963 P. perniciosus (202 females). Phylogenetic analysis and serological assays allowed the identification of two isolates of Toscana virus (TOSV) B genotype, three isolates strongly related to Italian Arbia virus (ARBV), and one isolate of a novel putative Phlebovirus related to the recently characterized Arrabida virus in South Portugal, tentatively named Arrabida-like virus. Positive male sand fly pools suggested that transovarial or venereal transmission could occur under natural conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlighted the presence of different Phlebovirus species in the South-West area of the Madrid Autonomous Community where an outbreak of cutaneous and visceral human leishmaniasis has been recently described. The evidence of viral species never identified before in Spain, as ARBV and Arrabida-like virus, and TOSV B genotype focus stability was demonstrated. Environmental aspects such as climate change, growing urbanization, socio-economic development could have contributed to the genesis of this wide ecological niche of PhB-viruses and Leishmania spp. The potential role of vertebrates as reservoir for the phleboviruses identified and the possibility of Phleboviruses-Leishmania co-infection in the same sand fly should be assessed. Furthermore the PhB-viruses impact on human health should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elena Remoli
- National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy.
| | - Maribel Jiménez
- Unidad de EntomologíaMédica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Fortuna
- National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Benedetti
- National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Marchi
- National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Genovese
- Unit of Global Health, Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Gramiccia
- Unit of Vector-borne Diseases and International Health, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Ricardo Molina
- Unidad de EntomologíaMédica, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ctra. Majadahonda-Pozuelo s/n, 28220, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Grazia Ciufolini
- National Reference Laboratory for Arboviruses, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy.
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