Bunyaviridae

Clinically Important Phleboviruses and Their Detection in Human Samples

“…The majority of phlebovirus strains are maintained and transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. While most infections are thought to be asymptomatic, the typical “sandfly fever” symptoms include the sudden onset of fever, malaise, anorexia, photophobia, abdominal symptoms, and rash [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. These symptoms are generally associated with Old World (Sandfly fever Naples and Sicilian) and New World (Alenquer, Candiru, Chagres, Cocle, Echarate, Maldonado, and Punta Toro) phleboviruses ( Table 1 ).…”

“…These symptoms are generally associated with Old World (Sandfly fever Naples and Sicilian) and New World (Alenquer, Candiru, Chagres, Cocle, Echarate, Maldonado, and Punta Toro) phleboviruses ( Table 1 ). Similarly, infections with the mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus are most often associated with a self-limiting febrile illness [ 5 , 6 ]. Unfortunately, a small subset of Rift Valley fever virus human cases can progress into hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis, encephalitis, and/or retinal vasculitis [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], representing the most severe human clinical manifestations associated with a phlebovirus infection.…”

“…Similarly, infections with the mosquito-borne Rift Valley fever virus are most often associated with a self-limiting febrile illness [ 5 , 6 ]. Unfortunately, a small subset of Rift Valley fever virus human cases can progress into hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis, encephalitis, and/or retinal vasculitis [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], representing the most severe human clinical manifestations associated with a phlebovirus infection. Of special interest, Rift Valley fever virus is also known to cause high rates of mortality and abortion among infected livestock, with epizootics occurring along with the development of illness in the people who tend these animals [ 5 , 6 , 8 ].…”

“…Unfortunately, a small subset of Rift Valley fever virus human cases can progress into hemorrhagic fever, hepatitis, encephalitis, and/or retinal vasculitis [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], representing the most severe human clinical manifestations associated with a phlebovirus infection. Of special interest, Rift Valley fever virus is also known to cause high rates of mortality and abortion among infected livestock, with epizootics occurring along with the development of illness in the people who tend these animals [ 5 , 6 , 8 ]. Lastly, Toscana virus is the only sandfly-borne phlebovirus that is frequently associated with aseptic meningitis [ 7 ] in addition to a more common febrile syndrome.…”