Sand Flies and Toscana Virus

Abstract

Phlebovirus toscanaense (Toscana virus, TOSV) from the Phenuiviridae family is an emerging but still neglected human pathogen. Infections vary from non-symptomatic forms through febrile illness to CNS disease, rarely death. The virus circulates in the Mediterranean area, where it is transmitted by sand flies (Diptera, Phlebotominae); however, there are consequently many knowledge gaps about its biology and its persistence in nature. Based on the nucleotide sequences, TOSV is currently divided into three lineages A, B and C. The only proven vectors are Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi. We tested the vector competence of four sand fly species: Phlebotomus tobbi, Phlebotomus sergenti, Phlebotomus papatasi and Sergentomyia schwetzi to two TOSV strains belonging to TOSV lineages A and B.