Title |
Serological and molecular detection of Toscana and other Phleboviruses in patients and sandflies in Tunisia
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Published in |
BMC Infectious Diseases, November 2014
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DOI | 10.1186/s12879-014-0598-9 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Ons Fezaa, Youmna M’ghirbi, Gianni Gori Savellini, Lamia Ammari, Nahed Hogga, Henda Triki, Maria Grazia Cusi, Ali Bouattour |
Abstract |
BackgroundOur aim is to detect the infection by Toscana virus (TOSV) and other Phleboviruses in the sera and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis in Tunisia. We examined various species of phlebotomus present in Tunisia to determine whether or not a direct relationship exists between cases of meningitis and the viruses circulating in the insect vectors.MethodsPatients with the meningeal syndrome were tested for anti-TOSV IgM and IgG using an indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses using a RT-PCR test.An entomological study was carried out using CDC light traps to trap sandflies in different bioclimatic zones of Tunisia. Collected sandflies were tested by RT-PCR for the presence of TOSV and other Phleboviruses and subsequently by viral isolation on Vero cells.ResultsOf 263 patients were tested using ELISA of which 12.16% (n¿=¿32/263) were IgM positive for anti TOSV. Of these 32 patients, 78% (n¿=¿25/32) were IgG positive. 12.86% (n¿=¿18/140) of the CSF samples tested by RT-PCR were positive for the Toscana virus.One CSF sample tested by RT-PCR revealed the presence of Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV). The Punique virus was identified in one sandfly pool.ConclusionsThis study confirms, for the first time, that TOSV is involved in a neurological disorder in North Africa. The incidence of this involvement in Tunisia conforms with observations made in other Mediterranean countries. Moreover, for the first time, a molecular approach was used to detect SFSV in a Tunisian patient displaying neurological symptoms. |
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Unknown | 1 | 100% |
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Members of the public | 1 | 100% |
Mendeley readers
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Unknown | 29 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
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Researcher | 9 | 31% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 7 | 24% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 2 | 7% |
Student > Bachelor | 2 | 7% |
Professor | 1 | 3% |
Other | 5 | 17% |
Unknown | 3 | 10% |
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Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 7 | 24% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 4 | 14% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 | 10% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 3 | 10% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 2 | 7% |
Other | 5 | 17% |
Unknown | 5 | 17% |