Identification of Toscana virus in natural population of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Moroccan leishmaniasis foci

Daoudi, M.; Calzolari, Mattia; Boussaa, Samia; Bonilauri, Paolo; Torri, Deborah; Romeo, Giuseppe; Lelli, Davide; Llombart‐Bosch, Antonio; Hafidi, Mohamed; Dottori, M.; Boumezzough, Ali

doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2022.03.007

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…While numerous field studies have detected TOSV in Ph. perniciosus populations, only a few experimental studies have yet assessed the vectorial competence and capacity of this species (12,26,27). Considering this knowledge gap, our research focused on examining the dynamics of TOSV infection in Ph.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sand flies and Toscana virus: intra-vector infection dynamics and impact onPhlebotomus perniciosuslife-history traits

Laroche,

Bañuls,

Charrel

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Toscana virus (TOSV) is a leading cause of summer viral meningitis in central Italy and south of France, and can cause severe neurological cases. Within the Mediterranean basin, it is transmitted by hematophagous sand flies belonging to thePhlebotomusgenus. Despite the identification of the primary TOSV vectors, the virus’s developmental cycle in vector species remains largely unknown. Limited research has been conducted on transmission dynamics and the vectorial competence and capacity of the principal TOSV vector,Phlebotomus perniciosus. In this context, we investigated the intra-vector TOSV infection dynamics inPh. perniciosus, as well as its impact on the vector’s life history traits. Female sand flies were experimentally infected with TOSV though an artificial blood meal. Systemic dissemination of the virus was observed approximately three days post-infection, potentially resulting in a shorter extrinsic incubation period. Moreover, the study revealed a longer hatching time for eggs laid by infected females. This research not only confirmed the vector competence ofPh. perniciosusbut also provided the first insight into TOSV’s developmental cycle and its impact on the vector. These findings prompt further exploration of TOSV transmission dynamics, raise new hypotheses on the virus transmission and highlight the importance of follow-up studies.Author summaryToscana virus (TOSV) is a reemerging sandfly-borne virus causing neuroinvasive infections in humans. This virus is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, with a potential risk of introduction in northern Europe and Asia. Despite decades of research, few studies have focused on the development cycle of TOSV in sand flies and the dynamics of transmission. Here, we provide a comprehensive study of the intra-vector dynamics of TOSV infection and its impact on both vector biology and transmission. Through experimental infections of the major vectorPhlebotomus perniciosus, we not only confirmed vector competence but also provided the first insight into the TOSV developmental cycle in the vector by estimating the extrinsic incubation period at six days. Our study reveals an impact of TOSV infection on vector hatching time leading to a delayed emergence of infected sand flies, with a potential impact on transmission. Our findings encourage further exploration of transmission dynamics, raise new hypotheses on alternative transmission pathways, and emphasize the importance of follow-up studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sand flies and Toscana virus: intra-vector infection dynamics and impact onPhlebotomus perniciosuslife-history traits

Laroche,

Bañuls,

Charrel

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Sandflies are broadly distributed in regions bordering the Mediterranean basin. They are often abundant in peri-urban, rural and natural environments, which are concentrated near human and domestic animal habitats in suitable areas [ 13 , 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Isolation of Ponticelli III Virus (Bunyavirales: Phenuiviridae) in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

Daoudi

Romeo

Marzani

et al. 2023

Viruses

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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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Presence of the sandfly-borne phlebovirus (Toscana virus) in different bio-geographical regions of Algeria demonstrated by a microneutralisation-based seroprevalence study in owned dogs

Sellali

Lafri

Hachid

et al. 2022

Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

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Identification of Toscana virus in natural population of sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Moroccan leishmaniasis foci

Cited by 4 publications

References 34 publications

Sand flies and Toscana virus: intra-vector infection dynamics and impact onPhlebotomus perniciosuslife-history traits

Sand flies and Toscana virus: intra-vector infection dynamics and impact onPhlebotomus perniciosuslife-history traits

New Isolation of Ponticelli III Virus (Bunyavirales: Phenuiviridae) in Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy

Presence of the sandfly-borne phlebovirus (Toscana virus) in different bio-geographical regions of Algeria demonstrated by a microneutralisation-based seroprevalence study in owned dogs

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