Infections Due to Sandfly Fever Virus Serotype Toscana in Spain

Abstract

Of the sandfly fever viruses known to be human pathogens (serotypes Toscana [TOS], Sicilian [SFS], and Naples [SFN]), only TOS has demonstrated neurotropic activity. Infections by TOS have been reported in Mediterranean countries, but the virus was previously isolated only in Italy and Portugal. We isolated 15 strains of TOS between 1988 and 1996 from the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with acute aseptic meningitis in Granada, Spain. This finding led us to study the presence of antibodies to TOS, SFS, and SFN in 1,181 adults and 87 children from different regions of Spain. We found that the prevalence of antibodies to these viruses was 26.2%, 2.2, and 11.9%, respectively; these rates imply that TOS infections are common in Spain.

Toscana Virus in Spain

“…West Nile virus (WNV) infection is a seasonal epidemic in North America ( 1 ). In southern Europe, WNV infections ( 2 – 4 ), tickborne encephalitis ( 5 ), sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), sandfly fever Naples virus (SFNV), and Toscana virus (TOSV) infections have been reported in Mediterranean countries ( 6 , 7 ). In Spain, a multidisciplinary network, EVITAR, has been recently created to study arthropod- and rodentborne viral diseases.…”

“…TOSV (genus Phlebovirus , family Bunyaviridae ) is an important agent of acute meningitis and meningoencephalitis in residents and visitors from Mediterranean countries ( 7 – 13 ). Aside from TOSV, other sandfly fever viruses, i.e., SFSV and SFNV, cause a brief, self-limiting febrile illness ( 6 ).…”

“…Aside from TOSV, other sandfly fever viruses, i.e., SFSV and SFNV, cause a brief, self-limiting febrile illness ( 6 ). Although TOSV is not normally associated with mild disease, serologic studies report high seroprevalence rates in areas of confirmed TOSV infections ( 7 , 14 , 15 ). Furthermore, a case of influenzalike illness caused by TOSV has recently been reported ( 16 ).…”

“…Furthermore, a case of influenzalike illness caused by TOSV has recently been reported ( 16 ). In Spain, the first TOSV infections involving the central nervous system were reported in Granada in 1988 ( 7 ). Later, cases of TOSV infections were detected in other areas of Spain ( 15 ).…”

“…P. perniciosus is the most abundant anthropophilic species of Phlebotomus in Spain ( 19 ). The maximum activity of sandfly vectors for TOSV occurs during summer, along with most cases of TOSV infection ( 7 ). Vector-based TOSV surveillance is useful in reporting virus activity.…”