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

Ayhan, Nazlı; Prudhomme, Jorian; Laroche, Lison; Bañuls, Anne‐Laure; Charrel, Rémi N.

doi:10.3390/microorganisms8010114

Cited by 26 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Toscana virus-related viruses, sandfly fever Naples virus-related viruses, and Massilia virus-related viruses have been detected in Phlebotomus perfiliewi and Phlebotomus perniciosus sandflies. A recent study suggested that the spectrum of competent sandfly vector species for Toscana virus-related viruses is broader than previously thought and includes Phlebotomus longicuspis , Phlebotomus sergenti , Phlebotomus tobbi , Phlebotomus neglectus , and Sergentomyia minuta ( 28 ). Rodents have been found to be infected with Gordil virus and Saint Floris virus, although the associated sandfly vector remains elusive ( 13 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the Evolutionary Origin of Mediterranean Sandfly Fever Viruses

Marklewitz

Tchouassi

Hieke

et al. 2020

mSphere

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Sandfly-transmitted phleboviruses (family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales) are associated with febrile illness and infections of the nervous system in humans. These viruses are almost exclusively found in tropical areas of the New World and restricted to semiarid and temperate zones in the Old World. Here, we discovered seven strains of four previously unknown phleboviruses, named Bogoria virus (BOGV), Embossos virus (EMRV), Kiborgoch virus (KBGV), and Perkerra virus (PERV), as well as the recently discovered Ntepes virus, in sandflies collected in the Kenyan Rift Valley. The genomes have a tripartite organization with conserved termini typical of phleboviruses. LOBV, PERV, and EMBV showed low similarity to known phleboviruses, with less than 55% pairwise amino acid identities in the RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRp) proteins, and defined a highly diversified monophyletic clade in sister relationship to the sandfly fever Sicilian serocomplex. All three viruses failed to react with sandfly fever Sicilian virus antisera in recombinant immunofluorescence assays (rIFA), suggesting that the viruses belong to a yet-unknown serogroup. In contrast, KBGV was closely related to Toscana virus (84% identity of RdRp proteins) and shared a most recent common ancestor with the clade comprising sandfly fever Naples and Toscana viruses. KBGV reacted with sandfly fever Naples and Toscana virus antisera in rIFA. The genetic diversity of the detected viruses and their phylogenetic positions implies that the Old World sandfly-borne phleboviruses originated from sub-Saharan Africa. Importantly, our findings suggest that diseases associated with sandfly-borne phlebovirus infections may also affect the Kenyan population. IMPORTANCE Studies on the genetic diversity of arthropod-borne viruses circulating in rural regions can provide critical early indications on new emerging viruses essential for global epidemic preparedness. In this study, we describe the discovery of four phleboviruses in sandflies from the Kenyan Rift Valley. The novel viruses are related to the two medically important serocomplexes, sandfly fever Naples and sandfly fever Sicilian, that are associated with febrile illness and neuroinvasive infections and which were previously not known to occur in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge on the occurrence of sandfly-borne phleboviruses in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa can help to decipher their contributions in the etiologies of fevers of unknown origin in patients. Our findings on five genetically diverse phleboviruses detected in Kenya suggest that the common ancestor of Old World phleboviruses existed in sub-Saharan Africa, a hot spot for emerging arboviruses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the Evolutionary Origin of Mediterranean Sandfly Fever Viruses

Marklewitz

Tchouassi

Hieke

et al. 2020

mSphere

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“…There are circa 900 species already described, and 70 of these species have been reported as potential vectors of Leishmania spp. with few others involved in the natural transmission of viruses, such as Phlebovirus ( Reoviridae family) [ 31 ]. These insects are still capable of harboring other microorganisms, since they have contact with different environments and substrates [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of a Novel Mitovirus of the Sand Fly Lutzomyia longipalpis Using Genomic and Virus–Host Interaction Signatures

Fonseca

Ferreira

Silva

et al. 2020

Viruses

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Hematophagous insects act as the major reservoirs of infectious agents due to their intimate contact with a large variety of vertebrate hosts. Lutzomyia longipalpis is the main vector of Leishmania chagasi in the New World, but its role as a host of viruses is poorly understood. In this work, Lu. longipalpis RNA libraries were subjected to progressive assembly using viral profile HMMs as seeds. A sequence phylogenetically related to fungal viruses of the genus Mitovirus was identified and this novel virus was named Lul-MV-1. The 2697-base genome presents a single gene coding for an RNA-directed RNA polymerase with an organellar genetic code. To determine the possible host of Lul-MV-1, we analyzed the molecular characteristics of the viral genome. Dinucleotide composition and codon usage showed profiles similar to mitochondrial DNA of invertebrate hosts. Also, the virus-derived small RNA profile was consistent with the activation of the siRNA pathway, with size distribution and 5′ base enrichment analogous to those observed in viruses of sand flies, reinforcing Lu. longipalpis as a putative host. Finally, RT-PCR of different insect pools and sequences of public Lu. longipalpis RNA libraries confirmed the high prevalence of Lul-MV-1. This is the first report of a mitovirus infecting an insect host.

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“…Further studies are required to evaluate if these pathogens circulate in the sand fly populations in Germany. This situation might change in future if sand fly species expand in range due to climate change and build up larger populations [30]. In addition, further studies are necessary to clearly characterize the environmental conditions of the habitats of P. mascittii.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Case reports of seroepidemiological studies showed that the geographical distribution of Toscana virus is much wider than previously assumed and despite its importance as a human pathogen, it remains neglected and there are consequently many gaps of knowledge [30]. Especially during outdoor activities, the exposure to sand flies can increase the risk of an infection with phleboviruses [31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phlebotomine sand flies in Southwest Germany: an update with records in new locations

et al. 2020

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Background: Vector-borne diseases (VBD) are of growing global importance. Sand flies are potential vectors for phleboviruses (family Phenuiviridae) including Toscana virus (TOSV), Sicilian virus, Sandfly fever, Naples virus, and Leishmania parasites in Europe. To date, only two phlebotomine species have been recorded for Germany: Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus mascittii. This study updates the distribution and abundance of the two occurring species. Methods: An entomological field study was carried out during 2015-2018 to assess the abundance of sand flies in Southwest Germany within the federal states Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW) and Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP). A total of 176 collection sites were examined using CDC light traps. Results: A total of 149 individuals of P. mascittii were collected. During 2015-2018, P. mascittii was found at all sites known positive from previous studies and was detected at 15 additional sites previously unknown for the presence of sand flies. Although the environment has changed considerably in 30 years, no significant difference in sand fly dynamics and distribution was found. Phlebotomus perniciosus has only been trapped once since 2001. Conclusions: This study showed that sand flies occur in different areas in Southern Germany where they had not been recorded previously. Therefore, it can be assumed that they are more widespread than expected. In addition, sand flies could be found over several years at the same trapping sites, indicating population stability. This supports the need for continued surveillance of possible vector populations and urgent clarification of the vector competence of P. mascittii.

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

Cited by 26 publications

References 79 publications

Insights into the Evolutionary Origin of Mediterranean Sandfly Fever Viruses

Insights into the Evolutionary Origin of Mediterranean Sandfly Fever Viruses

Characterization of a Novel Mitovirus of the Sand Fly Lutzomyia longipalpis Using Genomic and Virus–Host Interaction Signatures

Phlebotomine sand flies in Southwest Germany: an update with records in new locations

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