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Shahhosseini N, Paquette SJ, Kayedi MH, Abaei MR, Sedaghat MM. Genetic Characterization of Sandfly-Borne Viruses in Phlebotomine Sandflies in Iran. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2754. [PMID: 38004764 PMCID: PMC10673459 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Phleboviruses are classified into two main groups: the sandfly fever group (transmitted by sandflies and mosquitoes) and the Uukuniemi group (transmitted by ticks). Old World sandfly-borne viruses (SBVs) are classified into four main serocomplexes; sandfly fever Naples viruses (SFNVs), sandfly fever Sicilian viruses (SFSVs), Karimabad viruses (KARVs), and Salehabad viruses (SALVs). This study addresses current knowledge gaps on SBVs in Iran by focusing on identification and molecular epidemiology. We used PCR to examine DNA/RNA extracts to identify sandfly species and evaluate for SBV presence. We identified five specimens positive for phleboviruses: one Ph. sergenti for Tehran virus (TEHV), one Ph. papatasi for SFSV, and two Ph. papatasi and one Ph. perfiliewi for KARV. A phylogenetic tree indicated that the TEHV isolate from this study formed a cluster with previous isolates of TEHV, Zerdali virus, and Fermo virus. Meanwhile, the identified SFSV isolate fell in lineage I and was grouped with previous isolates of SFSVs and Dashli virus in Iran. Finally, the KARV isolates from this study formed a monophyletic clade in a sister relationship with other viruses in KARV lineages I and II. This comprehensive study on SBVs in Iran provided new insights into the molecular epidemiology of TEHV, SFSVs and KARVs in this country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nariman Shahhosseini
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada;
| | - Sarah-Jo Paquette
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB T1K 3M4, Canada;
| | - Mohammad Hassan Kayedi
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad 6814993165, Iran;
| | - Mohammad Reza Abaei
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 141556446, Iran;
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Sedaghat
- Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 141556446, Iran;
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Manseur H, Hachid A, Khardine AF, BENALLAL KE, Bia T, Temani M, HAKEM A, Sánchez-Seco MP, Bitam I, Vázquez A, LAFRI I. First Isolation of Punique Virus from Sand Flies Collected in Northern Algeria. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081796. [PMID: 36016418 PMCID: PMC9412333 DOI: 10.3390/v14081796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, several phleboviruses transmitted by sand flies were detected in the Mediterranean countries, with the health impact of some of them being unknown. From September to October 2020, a total of 3351 sand flies were captured in Kherrata (Bejaia, northern Algeria) and identified by sex, grouped in 62 pools, which were tested for the presence of phlebovirus RNA using endpoint RT-PCR. Two pools (male and female, respectively) were positive. The genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the two phleboviruses detected were closely related to the Punique virus (PUNV) isolated in Tunisia and detected in Algeria. Both PUNV strains were isolated on VERO cells from positive pools. Morphological identification of 300 sand flies randomly selected, showed a clear dominance of Phlebotomus perniciosus (98.67%). The dominance of this species in the study area was confirmed by PCR targeting the mitochondrial DNA. Our result represents the first isolation of PUNV and the second report in Algeria from two distinct regions which confirm its large circulation in the country and more broadly in North Africa. Further studies are needed to measure the impact on public health through seroprevalence studies in humans as well as animals and to investigate its potential involvement in neurological viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemza Manseur
- Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université de Blida 1, Blida 09000, Algeria
- Laboratoire des Biotechnologies Liées à la Reproduction Animale (LBRA), Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université de Blida 1, Blida 09000, Algeria
| | - Aissam Hachid
- Laboratoire des Arbovirus et Virus Emergents, Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Alger 16000, Algeria
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Univérsité d’Alger 1, Alger 16000, Algeria
| | - Ahmed Fayez Khardine
- Laboratoire des Arbovirus et Virus Emergents, Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Alger 16000, Algeria
| | - Kamal Eddine BENALLAL
- Laboratoire d’Éco-Épidémiologie Parasitaire et de Génétique des Populations, Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Alger 16000, Algeria
| | - Taha Bia
- Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université de Tiaret, Tiaret 14000, Algeria
| | - Merbouha Temani
- Laboratoire des Arbovirus et Virus Emergents, Institut Pasteur d’Algérie, Alger 16000, Algeria
| | - Ahcene HAKEM
- Centre de Recherche en Agropastoralisme (CRAPast) Djelfa, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
| | - Maria Paz Sánchez-Seco
- Arbovirus and Imported Viral Diseases Laboratory, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28001 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), 28001 Madrid, Spain
| | - Idir Bitam
- Ecole Supérieure des Sciences de l’Aliment et des Industries Agroalimentaires, Alger 16000, Algeria
| | - Ana Vázquez
- Arbovirus and Imported Viral Diseases Laboratory, National Center of Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28001 Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), 28001 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ismail LAFRI
- Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université de Blida 1, Blida 09000, Algeria
- Laboratoire des Biotechnologies Liées à la Reproduction Animale (LBRA), Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université de Blida 1, Blida 09000, Algeria
- Correspondence:
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Development of a Reverse Genetics System for Toscana Virus (Lineage A). Viruses 2020; 12:v12040411. [PMID: 32272808 PMCID: PMC7232365 DOI: 10.3390/v12040411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Toscana virus (TOSV) is a Phlebovirus in the Phenuiviridae family, order Bunyavirales, found in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean. TOSV is an important cause of seasonal acute meningitis and encephalitis within its range. Here, we determined the full sequence of the TOSV strain 1500590, a lineage A virus obtained from an infected patient (Marseille, 2007) and used this in combination with other sequence information to construct functional cDNA plasmids encoding the viral L, M, and S antigenomic sequences under the control of the T7 RNA promoter to recover recombinant viruses. Importantly, resequencing identified two single nucleotide changes to a TOSV reference genome, which, when corrected, restored functionality to the polymerase L and made it possible to recover infectious recombinant TOSV (rTOSV) from cDNA, as well as establish a minigenome system. Using reverse genetics, we produced an NSs-deletant rTOSV and also obtained viruses expressing reporter genes instead of NSs. The availability of such a system assists investigating questions that require genetic manipulation of the viral genome, such as investigations into replication and tropism, and beyond these fundamental aspects, also the development of novel vaccine design strategies.
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Ayhan N, Prudhomme J, Laroche L, Bañuls AL, Charrel RN. Broader Geographical Distribution of Toscana Virus in the Mediterranean Region Suggests the Existence of Larger Varieties of Sand Fly Vectors. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8010114. [PMID: 31947561 PMCID: PMC7022675 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Nazli Ayhan
- Unité des Virus Emergents (Aix-Marseille Univ–IRD 190–Inserm 1207–IHU Méditerranée Infection), 13005 Marseille, France;
- Unité de Virologie EA7310 Bioscope, Université de Corse Pasquale Paoli (UCPP), 20250 Corte, France
- Correspondence: (N.A.); (J.P.); Tel.: +33-782-202794 (N.A.); +33-621-504351 (J.P.)
| | - Jorian Prudhomme
- UMR MIVEGEC (IRD—CNRS—Université de Montpellier), 911 avenue Agropolis, F34394 Montpellier, France; (L.L.); (A.-L.B.)
- Correspondence: (N.A.); (J.P.); Tel.: +33-782-202794 (N.A.); +33-621-504351 (J.P.)
| | - Lison Laroche
- UMR MIVEGEC (IRD—CNRS—Université de Montpellier), 911 avenue Agropolis, F34394 Montpellier, France; (L.L.); (A.-L.B.)
| | - Anne-Laure Bañuls
- UMR MIVEGEC (IRD—CNRS—Université de Montpellier), 911 avenue Agropolis, F34394 Montpellier, France; (L.L.); (A.-L.B.)
| | - Remi N. Charrel
- Unité des Virus Emergents (Aix-Marseille Univ–IRD 190–Inserm 1207–IHU Méditerranée Infection), 13005 Marseille, France;
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Endy TP. Viral Febrile Illnesses and Emerging Pathogens. HUNTER'S TROPICAL MEDICINE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020. [PMCID: PMC7151808 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-55512-8.00036-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Emerging or emerged diseases and viral pathogens are responsible historically and currently for large epidemics, global pandemics, and significant morbidity and mortality. Our civilization will continue to face the emergence of new pathogens and viruses: viruses will continue to evolve and adapt to new environments at a high rate; our population continues to grow through birth rate, land development, and migration; climate change will continue to increase the vector burden and spread and change the migratory pattern of animals; and our societal mobility will continue to increase through rapid transportation. The clinical evaluation of the febrile patient with a potential emerging viral pathogen involves documenting the likelihood for an infection by a detailed travel history, calculation of an incubation time by exposure, and an understanding of the disease progression though the clinical illness, which drives the differential diagnosis and the type of diagnostics ordered. Ultimately, the proper identification and diagnosis of a patient with a viral febrile illness due to an emerging pathogen will elicit the appropriate precautions to protect health care providers and communities, deliver appropriate therapeutic interventions, and initiate a targeted public health response. The majority of emerging diseases are caused by viruses, with many that are transmitted by insect vectors or are zoonotic. RNA viruses in particular have high mutation rates and can evolve rapidly in new and changing environments. This, in combination with societal factors, climate change, and rapid travel, has increased the number of epidemics from emerging pathogens in the last several decades. Understanding the travel history, incubation time of potential viruses, and the clinical presentation by illness day is essential in making the right diagnosis and identifying the infecting virus.
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Circulation of Toscana Virus in a Sample Population of Corsica, France. Viruses 2019; 11:v11090817. [PMID: 31487870 PMCID: PMC6784206 DOI: 10.3390/v11090817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sandfly-borne phleboviruses pathogenic to humans, such as Toscana virus (TOSV) and Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), are endemic in the Mediterranean region. In France, several autochthonous cases of TOSV infection have been described, causing either meningitis or encephalitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of TOSV and SFSV antibodies in a healthy population from Corsica. In this cross-sectional study, participants were enrolled (i) from a medical staff at the University of Corsica and (ii) from general practitioners of the Corsican Sentinelles Network. The seroprevalence study was based on a virus microneutralization assay. A total of 240 sera were tested. Altogether, 54 sera (22.5%) were confirmed positive for TOSV antibodies, whereas none were positive for SFSV (0/240). The residential district of participants was significantly associated with TOSV seropositivity (p value = 0.005). The rate of the seropositivity against TOSV in our study suggests that the Corsican population is well exposed to the TOSV. These results encourage the implementation of a systematic surveillance system including entomological, microbiological, and medical aspects for the collection of better information on the diseases that are associated with phleboviruses in Corsica and beyond in the regions where these viruses are present.
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Bouhsira E, Deuster K, Lienard E, Le Sueur C, Franc M. Evaluation of the anti-feeding and insecticidal effects of a topically administered combination of imidacloprid and permethrin (Advantix®) against Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus (Newstead, 1911) in dogs following monthly administration. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:120. [PMID: 29499732 PMCID: PMC5834874 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2690-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two laboratory experiments (Studies 1 and 2) were conducted to confirm the efficacy of an imidacloprid and permethrin combination (Advantix® Spot-on, Bayer) to repel and kill Phlebotomus (Larroussius) perniciosus sand flies when applied once a month topically to dogs. METHODS Both studies compared dogs treated with a combination containing 100 mg/ml imidacloprid + 500 mg/ml permethrin (Advantix® Spot-on, Bayer) to placebo treated dogs. The treatments were applied topically on Day -28 (Study 2) and Day 0 (Studies 1 and 2). Sand fly exposures with 80 unfed females were performed before the first treatment for allocation purposes and post-treatment on study days (SDs) 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 (following first or second monthly treatment for Studies 1 and 2, respectively). After 60 min, sand flies were assessed for mortality and engorgement status. RESULTS Repellent evaluation (anti-feeding effect) on all days post-infestation showed efficacies that ranged between 88.1-99.3% during the first month and 92.2-98.9% during the second. Analyses of the comparison of fed sand fly counts for each treatment group resulted in a highly significant reduction (P < 0.0001) at all post-infestation time points for those dogs treated with Advantix®. A significant (P < 0.0001 for all time points) insecticidal effect was equally demonstrated. No treatment related adverse events were observed during the study. CONCLUSIONS In the present studies Advantix® Spot-on demonstrated to be safe and to provide excellent four-week sand fly (P. perniciosus) repellency of ≥88.1% and ≥92.2% after a first and second monthly treatment, respectively. A significant insecticidal effect was also observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Bouhsira
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | | | - Emmanuel Lienard
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse Cedex, France
| | | | - Michel Franc
- Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, 31076, Toulouse Cedex, France
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Tsirigotakis N, Pavlou C, Christodoulou V, Dokianakis E, Kourouniotis C, Alten B, Antoniou M. Phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) in the Greek Aegean Islands: ecological approaches. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:97. [PMID: 29458398 PMCID: PMC5819154 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2680-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood-sucking phlebotomine sand flies are the vectors of the protozoan parasites Leishmania spp. Different Phlebotomus species transmit different Leishmania species causing leishmaniases which are neglected diseases emerging/reemerging in new regions. Thirteen sand fly species, ten belonging to the medically important genus Phlebotomus and three belonging to Sergentomyia are known in Greece. An increasing number of human and dog cases are reported each year from all parts of the country including the Aegean Islands. However, no previous study has been conducted on the sand fly fauna on the islands, except for Rhodes and Samos. The aim of this study was to investigate sand fly species in eleven small Aegean islands; to understand species-specific relationships with environmental and climatic factors and to compare sand fly community parameters among islands. A risk analysis was carried out for each species using climatic and environmental variables. RESULTS Nine sand fly species: Phlebotomus neglectus, P. tobbi, P. similis, P. simici, P. perfiliewi, P. alexandri, P. papatasi, Sergentomyia minuta and S. dentata, were collected from the islands studied. Phlebotomus (Adlerius) sp. and Sergentomyia sp. specimens were also collected but not identified to the species level. There was a positive effect of distance from the sea on the abundance of P. neglectus, S. minuta and S. dentata, and a negative effect on the abundance of P. tobbi, P. simici and P. similis. In general, temperature preferences of sand fly populations were between 21 and 29 °C. Nevertheless, there were significant differences in terms of temperature and relative humidity preference ranges among species. The most important species found, P. neglectus, was indisputably the most adapted species in the study area with a very high reaction norm, favoring even the lower temperature and humidity ranges. Overall, the sand fly fauna in the islands was very rich but there were differences in species diversity, as indicated by the values of the Shannon-Wiener index, along with evenness and richness of the sand fly fauna between the islands and altitude ranges in the islands. CONCLUSIONS The study indicated that the Greek Aegean Islands, however small, maintain a rich sand fly fauna. This includes important vectors of Leishmania spp. representing a risk for parasite transmission to humans and dogs along with the danger of maintaining new Leishmania spp. if introduced to the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Tsirigotakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, GR-71003, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Christoforos Pavlou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, GR-71003, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Christodoulou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, GR-71003, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Dokianakis
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, GR-71003, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Bulent Alten
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ecology Division, VERG Laboratories, Hacettepe University, Beytepe-Ankara, Turkey
| | - Maria Antoniou
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology, Parasitology, Zoonoses and Geographical Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Vassilika Vouton, GR-71003, Heraklion, Greece.
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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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Dahmani M, Alwassouf S, Grech-Angelini S, Marié JL, Davoust B, Charrel RN. Seroprevalence of Toscana virus in dogs from Corsica, France. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:381. [PMID: 27368162 PMCID: PMC4930604 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1665-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toscana virus (TOSV) is an arbovirus belonging to the Bunyaviridae, a family of negative-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses. The virus can be transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female sand fly of the genus Phlebotomus. Infections are usually asymptomatic but the virus is known to cause aseptic meningitis and/or meningo-encephalitis in the Mediterranean countries. Dogs are good sentinels for detection of viral circulation and are more easily accessible than wild animals. FINDINGS In 2013 and 2014, we collected sera from 231 adult dogs living in 26 counties in two departments in Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean. The virus microneutralization-based seroprevalence assay revealed a seropositivity of 3.9 % dogs on the eastern coast of Corsica. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the circulation of TOSV in Corsica. Accordingly, in geographical areas where dogs possess TOSV neutralizing antibodies, direct and indirect TOSV diagnosis should be implemented in patients presenting with febrile illnesses and central nervous system infections such as meningitis and encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustapha Dahmani
- Research Unit of Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE) UMR CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1015, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France. .,Fondation Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.
| | - Sulaf Alwassouf
- UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille University - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jean-Lou Marié
- Working Group of Animal Epidemiology of French Army Health Service, DRSSA Toulon, French Military Health Service Academy - École du Val-de-Grâce, Paris, France
| | - Bernard Davoust
- Research Unit of Emerging Infectious and Tropical Diseases (URMITE) UMR CNRS 7278 IRD 198 INSERM U1015, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France.,Fondation Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France.,French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), LRDE UR045, Corte, France
| | - Rémi N Charrel
- UMR "Emergence des Pathologies Virales" (EPV: Aix-Marseille University - IRD 190 - Inserm 1207 - EHESP), Marseille, France.,Fondation Méditerranée Infection, APHM Public Hospitals of Marseille, Marseille, France
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Prudhomme J, Rahola N, Toty C, Cassan C, Roiz D, Vergnes B, Thierry M, Rioux JA, Alten B, Sereno D, Bañuls AL. Ecology and spatiotemporal dynamics of sandflies in the Mediterranean Languedoc region (Roquedur area, Gard, France). Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:642. [PMID: 26683841 PMCID: PMC4684629 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1250-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phlebotomine sandflies are hematophagous insects widely present in Western Mediterranean countries and known for their role as Leishmania vectors. During the last ten years, the risk of leishmaniasis re-emergence has increased in France. However, sandfly biology and ecology in the South of France remain poorly known because the last detailed study on their spatiotemporal dynamics was performed over 30 years ago. The aim of the present study was to update our knowledge on sandfly ecology by determining their spatiotemporal dynamics and by investigating the relationship between environmental/climatic factors and the presence and abundance of sandflies in the South of France. Methods An entomological survey was carried out during three years (2011–2013) along a 14 kilometer-long transect. The findings were compared with the data collected along the same transect in 1977. Data loggers were placed in each station and programmed to record temperature and relative humidity every six hours between April 2011 and November 2014. Several environmental factors (such as altitude, slope and wall orientation (North, East, West and South)) were characterized at each station. Results Four sandfly species were collected: Phlebotomus ariasi and Sergentomyia minuta, which were predominant, Ph. perniciosus and Ph. mascittii. Sandfly activity within the studied area started in May and ended in October with peaks in July-August at the optimum average temperature. We found a positive effect of altitude and temperature and a negative effect of relative humidity on Ph. ariasi and Se. minuta presence. We detected interspecific differences and non-linear effects of these climatic variables on sandfly abundance. Although the environment has considerably changed in 30 years, no significant difference in sandfly dynamics and species diversity was found by comparing the 1977 and 2011–2013 data. Conclusion Our study shows that this area maintains a rich sandfly fauna with high Ph. ariasi population density during the active season. This represents a risk for Leishmania transmission. The analysis revealed that the presence and abundance of Ph. ariasi and Se. minuta were differently correlated with the environmental and climatic factors. Comparison with the data collected in 1977 highlighted the sandfly population stability, suggesting that they can adapt, in the short and long term, to changing ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorian Prudhomme
- Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier), F34394, Montpellier, France.
| | - Nil Rahola
- Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier), F34394, Montpellier, France.
| | - Céline Toty
- Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier), F34394, Montpellier, France.
| | - Cécile Cassan
- Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier), F34394, Montpellier, France.
| | - David Roiz
- Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier), F34394, Montpellier, France.
| | - Baptiste Vergnes
- Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier), F34394, Montpellier, France.
| | - Magali Thierry
- Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier), F34394, Montpellier, France.
| | - Jean-Antoine Rioux
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Montpellier, 2 rue Ecole de médecine, 34000, Montpellier, France.
| | - Bulent Alten
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Ecology Section, ESRL Laboratories, Hacettepe University, 0680 Beytepe, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Denis Sereno
- UMR INTERTRYP (IRD - CIRAD 177), Centre IRD, F34394, Montpellier, France.
| | - Anne-Laure Bañuls
- Centre IRD, UMR MIVEGEC (IRD 224 - CNRS 5290 - Université Montpellier), F34394, Montpellier, France.
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