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Rémi N. Charrel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Geographic dispersal of Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus.
2017Co-Authors: Cigdem Alkan, Nazli Ayhan, Xavier De Lamballerie, Laurence Bichaud, Vahideh Moin Vaziri, Mehdi Badakhshan, Nourina Rahbarian, Ezat-aldin Javadian, Bulent Alten, Rémi N. CharrelAbstract:Geographic dispersal of Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus.
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Phylogeny and proposed lineages and sublineages within the Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus complex.
2017Co-Authors: Cigdem Alkan, Nazli Ayhan, Xavier De Lamballerie, Laurence Bichaud, Vahideh Moin Vaziri, Mehdi Badakhshan, Nourina Rahbarian, Ezat-aldin Javadian, Bulent Alten, Rémi N. CharrelAbstract:Phylogeny and proposed lineages and sublineages within the Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus complex.
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Seroprevalence of Sandfly‐Borne Phleboviruses Belonging to Three Serocomplexes (Sandfly Fever Naples, Sandfly Fever Sicilian and Salehabad) in Dogs from Greece and Cyprus Using Neutralization Test
PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Sulaf Alwassouf, Laurence Bichaud, Vasiliki Christodoulou, Pantelis Ntais, Apostolos Mazeris, Maria Antoniou, Rémi N. CharrelAbstract:Phleboviruses transmitted by sandflies are endemic in the Mediterranean area. The last decade has witnessed the description of an accumulating number of novel viruses. Although, the risk of exposure of vertebrates is globally assessed, detailed geographic knowledge is poor even in Greece and Cyprus where Sandfly Fever has been recognized for a long time and repeatedly. A total of 1,250 dogs from mainland Greece and Greek archipelago on one hand and 422 dogs from Cyprus on the other hand have been sampled and tested for neutralising antibodies against Toscana virus (TOSV), Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), Arbia virus, and Adana virus i.e. four viruses belonging to the 3 Sandfly-borne serocomplexes known to circulate actively in the Mediterranean area. Our results showed that (i) SFSV is highly prevalent with 71.9% (50.7-84.9% depending on the region) in Greece and 60.2% (40.0-72.6%) in Cyprus; (ii) TOSV ranked second with 4.4% (0-15.4%) in Greece and 8.4% (0-11.4%) in Cyprus; (iii) Salehabad viruses (Arbia and Adana) displayed also substantial prevalence rates in both countries with values ranging from 0-22.6% depending on the region and on the virus strain used in the test. These results demonstrate that circulation of viruses transmitted by sand flies can be estimated qualitatively using dog sera. As reported in other regions of the Mediterranean, these results indicate that it is time to shift these viruses from the "neglected" status to the "priority" status in order to stimulate studies aiming at defining and quantifying their medical and veterinary importance and possible public health impact. Specifically, viruses belonging to the Sandfly Fever Sicilian complex should be given careful consideration. This calls for implementation of direct and indirect diagnosis in National reference centers and in hospital microbiology laboratories and systematic testing of unelucidated febrile illness and central and peripheral nervous system febrile manifestations.
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seroprevalence of Sandfly borne phleboviruses belonging to three serocomplexes Sandfly Fever naples Sandfly Fever sicilian and salehabad in dogs from greece and cyprus using neutralization test
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Sulaf Alwassouf, Laurence Bichaud, Vasiliki Christodoulou, Pantelis Ntais, Apostolos Mazeris, Maria Antoniou, Rémi N. CharrelAbstract:Phleboviruses transmitted by sandflies are endemic in the Mediterranean area. The last decade has witnessed the description of an accumulating number of novel viruses. Although, the risk of exposure of vertebrates is globally assessed, detailed geographic knowledge is poor even in Greece and Cyprus where Sandfly Fever has been recognized for a long time and repeatedly. A total of 1,250 dogs from mainland Greece and Greek archipelago on one hand and 422 dogs from Cyprus on the other hand have been sampled and tested for neutralising antibodies against Toscana virus (TOSV), Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), Arbia virus, and Adana virus i.e. four viruses belonging to the 3 Sandfly-borne serocomplexes known to circulate actively in the Mediterranean area. Our results showed that (i) SFSV is highly prevalent with 71.9% (50.7-84.9% depending on the region) in Greece and 60.2% (40.0-72.6%) in Cyprus; (ii) TOSV ranked second with 4.4% (0-15.4%) in Greece and 8.4% (0-11.4%) in Cyprus; (iii) Salehabad viruses (Arbia and Adana) displayed also substantial prevalence rates in both countries with values ranging from 0-22.6% depending on the region and on the virus strain used in the test. These results demonstrate that circulation of viruses transmitted by sand flies can be estimated qualitatively using dog sera. As reported in other regions of the Mediterranean, these results indicate that it is time to shift these viruses from the "neglected" status to the "priority" status in order to stimulate studies aiming at defining and quantifying their medical and veterinary importance and possible public health impact. Specifically, viruses belonging to the Sandfly Fever Sicilian complex should be given careful consideration. This calls for implementation of direct and indirect diagnosis in National reference centers and in hospital microbiology laboratories and systematic testing of unelucidated febrile illness and central and peripheral nervous system febrile manifestations.
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Neutralization-based seroprevalence of Toscana virus and Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus in dogs and cats from Portugal.
The Journal of general virology, 2016Co-Authors: Sulaf Alwassouf, Nazli Ayhan, Laurence Bichaud, Carla Maia, Mónica Coimbra, José Manuel Cristóvão, Hervé Richet, Lenea Campino, Rémi N. CharrelAbstract:Sandfly-borne phleboviruses are endemic in the Mediterranean basin. However, levels of exposure of human and animal populations are inadequately researched. Toscana virus (TOSV) is present in Portugal where it causes human infection and disease; in contrast there are few data for Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) which has neither been isolated nor detected by molecular tests and for which there are only limited serological data. The sera collected from 1160 dogs and 189 cats in southern Portugal were tested for the presence of neutralizing antibodies against TOSV and SFSV, two viruses recognized as distinct serocomplexes in the Mediterranean region. Our data showed (i) seropositivity to TOSV and SFSV in dogs at a rate of 6.8 and 50.8 %, respectively, and (ii) that 3.7 % of cats were seropositive for TOSV. TOSV findings are in line with previous results obtained with less stringent serological assays. Our results for SFSV in dogs clearly indicate that the virus is circulating widely and that humans may be exposed to infection via the dogs. Although the presence of SFSV was suggested by haemagglutination inhibition in 4/1690 human sera in 1974, this is the first time, as far as we know, that SFSV has been shown to circulate so widely in dogs in Portugal. Future studies should be directed at isolating strains of SFSV in Portugal from dogs, humans and sandflies collected in high prevalence regions. As dogs appear to be good sentinels for SFSV, their role as a possible reservoir in the natural cycle should also be considered.
Koray Ergunay - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Serological investigation of phlebovirus exposure in blood donors from the Mediterranean Province of Mersin, Turkey
Mikrobiyoloji bulteni, 2015Co-Authors: Seda Tezcan, Ender Dinçer, Mahmut Ulger, Didem Ozgur, Semra Erdogan, Aykut Ozkul, Gurol Emekdas, Koray ErgunayAbstract:Phleboviruses are enveloped segmented RNA viruses, capable of inducing febrile disease and/or meningoencephalitis in exposed individuals, according to the infecting strain, following transmission via arthropods. Prototype medically-important phlebovirus strains responsible for Sandfly Fever are Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) and Sandfly Fever Naples virus (SFNV), where the SFSV variant Sandfly Fever Cyprus virus (SFCV) is also detected in individuals with febrile disease. Toscana virus (TOSV) is unique among phleboviruses as the cause of infections involving central nervous system. In this seroepidemiological study, human exposure to selected medically-important phleboviruses was investigated in healthy adult residents of the Mersin province, Mediterranean Anatolia, Turkey, where the current data on phlebovirus epidemiology is scarce. A total of 1784 healthy individuals (mean age: 34.7±9.6 years; 97.3% were male), accepted as blood donors at the Mersin University Center for Health Research and Application Blood Bank were included in the study after informed consent during a seventeen month period between July 2011 to November 2012. All participants were requested to fill out a questionnaire to reveal risk factors for vector exposure. SFSV, SFNV, SFCV and TOSV IgG antibodies in serum were investigated via a commercial indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT) (Sandfly Fever Virus IgG Mosaic I; Euroimmun, Germany). Sera interpreted as positive or strong positive for TOSV or SFNV+TOSV in IIFT were evaluated via TOSV virus neutralization test (VNT) for specificity confirmation. IIFT seroreactivity for at least one of the tested phleboviruses was present in 66.8% (1192/1784) of the samples. The most frequently-detected phlebovirus strain was SFSV (51.6%; 920/1784), followed by SFNV (46.4%; 827/1784), TOSV (43.7%; 779/1784) and SFCV (47.3%; 843/1784). Among the reactive sera, 6.6% (79/1192) were positive for a single virus serotype, whereas in 39.8% (475/1192) antibodies reacting with all tested virus serotypes were revealed. A total of 187 sera was included in the TOSV VNT and neutralizing antibodies were detected in 13.9%. According to the IIFT reactivity, residing in rural areas was observed as a statistically significant risk factor for exposure in all phleboviruses tested (p values for SFSV, SFNV, TOSV and SFCV were 0.002, 0.001,
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Phlebotomus Fever—Sandfly Fever
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Koray ErgunayAbstract:Sandfly Fever is a vector-borne febrile disease caused by viruses in the Phlebovirus genus of the Bunyaviridae family. Although the clinical picture is relatively benign, the infection is associated with severe morbidity and capacity for rapid spread to affect a high number of individuals. The epidemiology of Sandfly Fever is closely related to the presence and activity of the Sandfly species, which act as vectors for transmission. Cases and outbreaks of Sandfly Fever have been reported for over 100 years and the infection has a significant impact due to travel-related and/or imported infection for non-endemic countries, and local cases and outbreaks occurring in endemic regions. Current evidence suggests increased activity of Sandfly-borne phleboviruses and spread into previously unaffected environments. Moreover, a significant number of novel phleboviruses with unexplored pathogenicity have been discovered. Sandfly Fever must be considered in etiology in febrile diseases occurring in regions where vector sandflies are present and individuals residing or visiting such areas are at risk.
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phlebotomus Fever Sandfly Fever
Emerging Infectious Diseases#R##N#Clinical Case Studies, 2014Co-Authors: Koray ErgunayAbstract:Sandfly Fever is a vector-borne febrile disease caused by viruses in the Phlebovirus genus of the Bunyaviridae family. Although the clinical picture is relatively benign, the infection is associated with severe morbidity and capacity for rapid spread to affect a high number of individuals. The epidemiology of Sandfly Fever is closely related to the presence and activity of the Sandfly species, which act as vectors for transmission. Cases and outbreaks of Sandfly Fever have been reported for over 100 years and the infection has a significant impact due to travel-related and/or imported infection for non-endemic countries, and local cases and outbreaks occurring in endemic regions. Current evidence suggests increased activity of Sandfly-borne phleboviruses and spread into previously unaffected environments. Moreover, a significant number of novel phleboviruses with unexplored pathogenicity have been discovered. Sandfly Fever must be considered in etiology in febrile diseases occurring in regions where vector sandflies are present and individuals residing or visiting such areas are at risk.
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Molecular evidence indicates that Phlebotomus major sensu lato (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the vector species of the recently-identified Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus variant: Sandfly Fever turkey virus.
Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont N.Y.), 2012Co-Authors: Koray Ergunay, Aykut Ozkul, Ozge Erisoz Kasap, Zeliha Kocak Tufan, Mahur H. Turan, Bulent AltenAbstract:Abstract Sandfly Fever turkey virus (SFTV) is a recently-discovered Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) variant (family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus), characterized during retrospective evaluation of febrile disease outbreaks in Turkey. In addition to causing Sandfly Fever, SFTV was observed to induce elevation of liver enzymes, and to cause thrombocytopenia in affected individuals. This study was conducted to identify vectors for phleboviruses including SFTV in Ankara province, Turkey, where evidence indicates ongoing circulation of SFTV, as well as Toscana virus. Sandfly sampling was performed in Ankara province in the vicinity or in animal housing facilities in 15 peri-domestic sites. Male sandflies were identified morphologically, whereas females were evaluated individually for Phlebovirus RNA via a nested-PCR assay with consensus primers. Selected individuals and PCR-positive sandflies were subjected to barcoding via cytochrome c oxidase sequence analyses. The source of blood meals in virus-infect...
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A case of central nervous system infection due to a novel Sandfly Fever Virus (SFV) variant: Sandfly Fever Turkey Virus (SFTV)
Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology, 2012Co-Authors: Koray Ergunay, Vefa Ismayilova, Ilksen A. Colpak, Tulay KansuAbstract:Abstract We present a case of viral encephalitis due to Sandfly Fever Turkey Virus (SFTV), a novel phlebovirus genetically related to but distinct from Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus (SFSV), recently identified in a 63-year-old female, via consensus PCR and sequencing. SFTV was initially characterized in 2010 in samples from outbreaks of febrile diseases occurred during 2007–2008 and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an SFTV-related central nervous system (CNS) infection.
Bulent Alten - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Isolation and sequencing of Dashli virus, a novel Sicilian-like virus in sandflies from Iran; genetic and phylogenetic evidence for the creation of one novel species within the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2017Co-Authors: Cigdem Alkan, Nazli Ayhan, Xavier De Lamballerie, Laurence Bichaud, Mehdi Badakhshan, Nourina Rahbarian, Ezat-aldin Javadian, Bulent Alten, Vahideh Moin Vaziri, Rémi CharrelAbstract:Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of phleboviruses that cause Sandfly Fever or meningitis with significant implications for public health. Although several strains of these viruses had been isolated in Iran in the late 1970's, there was no recent data about the present situation at the outset of this study. Entomological investigations performed in 2009 and 2011 in Iran collected 4,770 sandflies from 10 different regions. Based on morphological identification, they were sorted into 315 pools according to species, sex, trapping station and date of capture. A phlebovirus, provisionally named Dashli virus (DASHV), was isolated from one pool of Sergentomyia spp, and subsequently DASHV RNA was detected in a second pool of Phlebotomus papatasi. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses based on complete coding genomic sequences indicated that (i) DASHV is most closely related to the Iranian isolates of Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus [SFSV], (ii) there is a common ancestor to DASHV, Sandfly Fever Sicilian- (SFS) and SFS-like viruses isolated in Italy, India, Turkey, and Cyprus (lineage I), (iii) DASHV is more distantly related with Corfou and Toros viruses (lineage II) although common ancestry is supported with 100% bootstrap, (iii) lineage I can be subdivided into sublineage Ia including all SFSV, SFCV and SFTV except those isolated in Iran which forms sublineage Ib (DASHV). Accordingly, we suggest to approve Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus species consisting of the all aforementioned viruses. Owing that most of these viruses have been identified in human patients with febrile illness, DASHV should be considered as a potential human pathogen in Iran.
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Direct evidence for an expanded circulation area of the recently identified Balkan virus (Sandfly Fever Naples virus species) in several countries of the Balkan archipelago.
Parasites & vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Nazli Ayhan, Bulent Alten, Vladimir Ivović, Vít Dvořák, Franjo Martinković, Jasmin Omeragić, Jovana Stefanovska, Dušan Petrić, Slavica Vaselek, Devrim BaymakAbstract:Recently, Balkan virus (BALKV, family Phenuiviridae, genus Phlebovirus) was discovered in sand flies collected in Albania and genetically characterised as a member of the Sandfly Fever Naples species complex. To gain knowledge concerning the geographical area where exposure to BALKV exists, entomological surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2015, in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), Kosovo, Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. A total of 2830 sand flies were trapped during 2014 and 2015 campaigns, and organised as 263 pools. BALKV RNA was detected in four pools from Croatia and in one pool from BH. Phylogenetic relationships were examined using sequences in the S and L RNA segments. Study of the diversity between BALKV sequences from Albania, Croatia and BH showed that Albanian sequences were the most divergent (9–11% [NP]) from the others and that Croatian and BH sequences were grouped (0.9–5.4% [NP]; 0.7–5% [L]). The sand fly infection rate of BALKV was 0.26% in BH and 0.27% in Croatia. Identification of the species content of pools using cox1 and cytb partial regions showed that the five BALKV positive pools contained Phlebotomus neglectus DNA; in four pools, P neglectus was the unique species, whereas P. tobbi DNA was also detected in one pool. We report here (i) the first direct evidence that the Balkan virus initially described in coastal Albania has a much wider dissemination area than originally believed, (ii) two real-time RT-PCR assays that may be useful for further screening of patients presenting with Fever of unknown origin that may be caused by Balkan virus infection, (iii) entomological results suggesting that Balkan virus is likely transmitted by Phlebotomus neglectus, and possibly other sand fly species of the subgenus Larroussius. So far, BALKV has been detected only in sand flies. Whether BALKV can cause disease in humans is unknown and remains to be investigated.
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Geographic dispersal of Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus.
2017Co-Authors: Cigdem Alkan, Nazli Ayhan, Xavier De Lamballerie, Laurence Bichaud, Vahideh Moin Vaziri, Mehdi Badakhshan, Nourina Rahbarian, Ezat-aldin Javadian, Bulent Alten, Rémi N. CharrelAbstract:Geographic dispersal of Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus.
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Phylogeny and proposed lineages and sublineages within the Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus complex.
2017Co-Authors: Cigdem Alkan, Nazli Ayhan, Xavier De Lamballerie, Laurence Bichaud, Vahideh Moin Vaziri, Mehdi Badakhshan, Nourina Rahbarian, Ezat-aldin Javadian, Bulent Alten, Rémi N. CharrelAbstract:Phylogeny and proposed lineages and sublineages within the Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus complex.
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Direct evidence for an expanded circulation area of the recently identified Balkan virus (Sandfly Fever Naples virus species) in several countries of the Balkan archipelago
BMC, 2017Co-Authors: Nazli Ayhan, Bulent Alten, Vít Dvořák, Jovana Stefanovska, Slavica Vaselek, Vladimir Ivovic, Franjo Martinkovic, Jasmin Omeragic, Dusan Petric, Devrim BaymakAbstract:Abstract Background Recently, Balkan virus (BALKV, family Phenuiviridae, genus Phlebovirus) was discovered in sand flies collected in Albania and genetically characterised as a member of the Sandfly Fever Naples species complex. To gain knowledge concerning the geographical area where exposure to BALKV exists, entomological surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2015, in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), Kosovo, Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. Results A total of 2830 sand flies were trapped during 2014 and 2015 campaigns, and organised as 263 pools. BALKV RNA was detected in four pools from Croatia and in one pool from BH. Phylogenetic relationships were examined using sequences in the S and L RNA segments. Study of the diversity between BALKV sequences from Albania, Croatia and BH showed that Albanian sequences were the most divergent (9–11% [NP]) from the others and that Croatian and BH sequences were grouped (0.9–5.4% [NP]; 0.7–5% [L]). The sand fly infection rate of BALKV was 0.26% in BH and 0.27% in Croatia. Identification of the species content of pools using cox1 and cytb partial regions showed that the five BALKV positive pools contained Phlebotomus neglectus DNA; in four pools, P neglectus was the unique species, whereas P. tobbi DNA was also detected in one pool. Conclusions We report here (i) the first direct evidence that the Balkan virus initially described in coastal Albania has a much wider dissemination area than originally believed, (ii) two real-time RT-PCR assays that may be useful for further screening of patients presenting with Fever of unknown origin that may be caused by Balkan virus infection, (iii) entomological results suggesting that Balkan virus is likely transmitted by Phlebotomus neglectus, and possibly other sand fly species of the subgenus Larroussius. So far, BALKV has been detected only in sand flies. Whether BALKV can cause disease in humans is unknown and remains to be investigated
Nazli Ayhan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Antibody Response to Toscana Virus and Sandfly Fever Sicilian Virus in Cats Naturally Exposed to Phlebotomine Sand Fly Bites in Portugal
Microorganisms, 2019Co-Authors: André Pereira, Nazli Ayhan, Mónica Coimbra, José Manuel Cristóvão, Hugo Vilhena, Ângela Martins, Patrícia Cachola, Joaquim Henriques, Ana Catarino, Tereza LestinovaAbstract:Phlebotomine sand fly-borne pathogens such as Leishmania spp. and phleboviruses are emerging threats to humans and animals worldwide. The aim of this work was to evaluate the exposure of cats from Portugal to Toscana virus (TOSV) and Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) and assess the associated risk factors. The possible association between exposure to Phlebotomus perniciosus saliva with TOSV and SFSV was also investigated. Out of 369 cats tested, 18 (4.9%, n = 365) were seropositive for TOSV, and eight (2.2%, n = 367) were seropositive for SFSV. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cats presenting clinical signs that were compatible with leishmaniosis and antibodies to TOSV had a significantly higher risk of being SFSV seropositive. The presence of antibodies to sand fly-borne viruses in cats indicate that these animals are frequently exposed to sand flies and transmitted pathogens. Data suggest that cats can be used to qualitatively monitor human exposure to TOSV and SFSV in endemic areas. The clinical impact of SFSV in cats' health should be investigated. The identification of the sand fly species responsible for the circulation of TOSV and SFSV in nature and the evaluation of the vectorial competence of P. perniciosus to SFSV should also be addressed.
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Isolation and sequencing of Dashli virus, a novel Sicilian-like virus in sandflies from Iran; genetic and phylogenetic evidence for the creation of one novel species within the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2017Co-Authors: Cigdem Alkan, Nazli Ayhan, Xavier De Lamballerie, Laurence Bichaud, Mehdi Badakhshan, Nourina Rahbarian, Ezat-aldin Javadian, Bulent Alten, Vahideh Moin Vaziri, Rémi CharrelAbstract:Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of phleboviruses that cause Sandfly Fever or meningitis with significant implications for public health. Although several strains of these viruses had been isolated in Iran in the late 1970's, there was no recent data about the present situation at the outset of this study. Entomological investigations performed in 2009 and 2011 in Iran collected 4,770 sandflies from 10 different regions. Based on morphological identification, they were sorted into 315 pools according to species, sex, trapping station and date of capture. A phlebovirus, provisionally named Dashli virus (DASHV), was isolated from one pool of Sergentomyia spp, and subsequently DASHV RNA was detected in a second pool of Phlebotomus papatasi. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses based on complete coding genomic sequences indicated that (i) DASHV is most closely related to the Iranian isolates of Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus [SFSV], (ii) there is a common ancestor to DASHV, Sandfly Fever Sicilian- (SFS) and SFS-like viruses isolated in Italy, India, Turkey, and Cyprus (lineage I), (iii) DASHV is more distantly related with Corfou and Toros viruses (lineage II) although common ancestry is supported with 100% bootstrap, (iii) lineage I can be subdivided into sublineage Ia including all SFSV, SFCV and SFTV except those isolated in Iran which forms sublineage Ib (DASHV). Accordingly, we suggest to approve Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus species consisting of the all aforementioned viruses. Owing that most of these viruses have been identified in human patients with febrile illness, DASHV should be considered as a potential human pathogen in Iran.
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Direct evidence for an expanded circulation area of the recently identified Balkan virus (Sandfly Fever Naples virus species) in several countries of the Balkan archipelago.
Parasites & vectors, 2017Co-Authors: Nazli Ayhan, Bulent Alten, Vladimir Ivović, Vít Dvořák, Franjo Martinković, Jasmin Omeragić, Jovana Stefanovska, Dušan Petrić, Slavica Vaselek, Devrim BaymakAbstract:Recently, Balkan virus (BALKV, family Phenuiviridae, genus Phlebovirus) was discovered in sand flies collected in Albania and genetically characterised as a member of the Sandfly Fever Naples species complex. To gain knowledge concerning the geographical area where exposure to BALKV exists, entomological surveys were conducted in 2014 and 2015, in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), Kosovo, Republic of Macedonia and Serbia. A total of 2830 sand flies were trapped during 2014 and 2015 campaigns, and organised as 263 pools. BALKV RNA was detected in four pools from Croatia and in one pool from BH. Phylogenetic relationships were examined using sequences in the S and L RNA segments. Study of the diversity between BALKV sequences from Albania, Croatia and BH showed that Albanian sequences were the most divergent (9–11% [NP]) from the others and that Croatian and BH sequences were grouped (0.9–5.4% [NP]; 0.7–5% [L]). The sand fly infection rate of BALKV was 0.26% in BH and 0.27% in Croatia. Identification of the species content of pools using cox1 and cytb partial regions showed that the five BALKV positive pools contained Phlebotomus neglectus DNA; in four pools, P neglectus was the unique species, whereas P. tobbi DNA was also detected in one pool. We report here (i) the first direct evidence that the Balkan virus initially described in coastal Albania has a much wider dissemination area than originally believed, (ii) two real-time RT-PCR assays that may be useful for further screening of patients presenting with Fever of unknown origin that may be caused by Balkan virus infection, (iii) entomological results suggesting that Balkan virus is likely transmitted by Phlebotomus neglectus, and possibly other sand fly species of the subgenus Larroussius. So far, BALKV has been detected only in sand flies. Whether BALKV can cause disease in humans is unknown and remains to be investigated.
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Of phlebotomines (sandflies) and viruses: a comprehensive perspective on a complex situation
Current Opinion in Insect Science, 2017Co-Authors: Nazli Ayhan, Rémi CharrelAbstract:Old World Sandfly-borne phleboviruses are classified into three serological complexes: Sandfly Fever Sicilian, Sandfly Fever Naples and Salehabad. Human pathogens (febrile illness ['Sandfly Fever'], neuroinvasive infections) belong to the two first complexes. The increasing number of newly discovered Sandfly-borne phleboviruses raises concerns about their medical and veterinary importance. They occupy a wide geographic area from Mediterranean basin to North Africa and the Middle East to the central Asia. At least nine species of sandflies can transmit these viruses. Recent results suggest that Sandfly vectors are not as specific for viruses as initially believed. Recent seroprevalence studies demonstrate that humans and domestic animals are heavily exposed. Specific molecular diagnostic methods must be developed and implemented in clinical microbiology laboratories.
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High Rates of Neutralizing Antibodies to Toscana and Sandfly Fever Sicilian Viruses in Livestock, Kosovo
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2017Co-Authors: Nazli Ayhan, Kurtesh Sherifi, Arber Taraku, Kristaq Bërxholi, Rémi CharrelAbstract:Toscana and Sandfly Fever Sicilian viruses (TOSV and SFSV, respectively), both transmitted by sand flies, are prominent human pathogens in the Old World. Of 1,086 serum samples collected from cattle and sheep during 2013 in various regions of Kosovo (Balkan Peninsula), 4.7% and 53.4% had neutralizing antibodies against TOSV and SFSV, respectively.
Rémi Charrel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Isolation and sequencing of Dashli virus, a novel Sicilian-like virus in sandflies from Iran; genetic and phylogenetic evidence for the creation of one novel species within the Phlebovirus genus in the Phenuiviridae family
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2017Co-Authors: Cigdem Alkan, Nazli Ayhan, Xavier De Lamballerie, Laurence Bichaud, Mehdi Badakhshan, Nourina Rahbarian, Ezat-aldin Javadian, Bulent Alten, Vahideh Moin Vaziri, Rémi CharrelAbstract:Phlebotomine sandflies are vectors of phleboviruses that cause Sandfly Fever or meningitis with significant implications for public health. Although several strains of these viruses had been isolated in Iran in the late 1970's, there was no recent data about the present situation at the outset of this study. Entomological investigations performed in 2009 and 2011 in Iran collected 4,770 sandflies from 10 different regions. Based on morphological identification, they were sorted into 315 pools according to species, sex, trapping station and date of capture. A phlebovirus, provisionally named Dashli virus (DASHV), was isolated from one pool of Sergentomyia spp, and subsequently DASHV RNA was detected in a second pool of Phlebotomus papatasi. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses based on complete coding genomic sequences indicated that (i) DASHV is most closely related to the Iranian isolates of Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus [SFSV], (ii) there is a common ancestor to DASHV, Sandfly Fever Sicilian- (SFS) and SFS-like viruses isolated in Italy, India, Turkey, and Cyprus (lineage I), (iii) DASHV is more distantly related with Corfou and Toros viruses (lineage II) although common ancestry is supported with 100% bootstrap, (iii) lineage I can be subdivided into sublineage Ia including all SFSV, SFCV and SFTV except those isolated in Iran which forms sublineage Ib (DASHV). Accordingly, we suggest to approve Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus species consisting of the all aforementioned viruses. Owing that most of these viruses have been identified in human patients with febrile illness, DASHV should be considered as a potential human pathogen in Iran.
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Of phlebotomines (sandflies) and viruses: a comprehensive perspective on a complex situation
Current Opinion in Insect Science, 2017Co-Authors: Nazli Ayhan, Rémi CharrelAbstract:Old World Sandfly-borne phleboviruses are classified into three serological complexes: Sandfly Fever Sicilian, Sandfly Fever Naples and Salehabad. Human pathogens (febrile illness ['Sandfly Fever'], neuroinvasive infections) belong to the two first complexes. The increasing number of newly discovered Sandfly-borne phleboviruses raises concerns about their medical and veterinary importance. They occupy a wide geographic area from Mediterranean basin to North Africa and the Middle East to the central Asia. At least nine species of sandflies can transmit these viruses. Recent results suggest that Sandfly vectors are not as specific for viruses as initially believed. Recent seroprevalence studies demonstrate that humans and domestic animals are heavily exposed. Specific molecular diagnostic methods must be developed and implemented in clinical microbiology laboratories.
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High Rates of Neutralizing Antibodies to Toscana and Sandfly Fever Sicilian Viruses in Livestock, Kosovo
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2017Co-Authors: Nazli Ayhan, Kurtesh Sherifi, Arber Taraku, Kristaq Bërxholi, Rémi CharrelAbstract:Toscana and Sandfly Fever Sicilian viruses (TOSV and SFSV, respectively), both transmitted by sand flies, are prominent human pathogens in the Old World. Of 1,086 serum samples collected from cattle and sheep during 2013 in various regions of Kosovo (Balkan Peninsula), 4.7% and 53.4% had neutralizing antibodies against TOSV and SFSV, respectively.
