Toscana phlebovirus


Toscana phlebovirus
Virus classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Virus
Realm: Riboviria
Kingdom: Orthornavirae
Phylum: Negarnaviricota
Class: Ellioviricetes
Order: Bunyavirales
Family: Phenuiviridae
Genus: Phlebovirus
Species:
Toscana phlebovirus
Synonyms
  • Toscana virus

Toscana phlebovirus (TOSV) is an arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) belonging to Bunyavirales, an order of negative-stranded, enveloped RNA viruses. The virus can be transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected sandfly of the genus Phlebotomus.[1] Toscana is not normally associated with disease, as indicated by high seroprevalence rates (up to 25%) in endemic areas,[2] but in common with other sandfly transmitted viruses such as Naples virus and Sicilian virus, infection may result in Pappataci fever, an illness with mild fever, headache and myalgia. In serious cases that go undiagnosed, acute meningitis, meningoencephalitis and encephalitis may occur. There is no specific treatment for infection, so treatment is supportive, reducing the severity of symptoms until the immune system has cleared the infection.[3]

The virus is found in most countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, with the highest incidence in Italy. Infection rates peak during the summer time as sandfly populations grow more abundant.[4]

  1. ^ Valassina, M.; Cusi, M. G.; Valensin, P. E. (2003). "A Mediterranean arbovirus: The Toscana virus". Journal of NeuroVirology. 9 (6): 577–583. doi:10.1080/jnv.9.6.577.583. PMID 14602570.
  2. ^ Braito, A.; Corbisiero, R.; Corradini, S.; Marchi, B.; Sancasciani, N.; Fiorentini, C.; Ciufolini, M. G. (1997). "Evidence of Toscana virus infections without central nervous system involvement: A serological study". European Journal of Epidemiology. 13 (7): 761–764. doi:10.1023/A:1007422103992. PMID 9384264. S2CID 11973850.
  3. ^ Arboviral Infections (Report). Virginia Department of Health.
  4. ^ Valassina, M.; Cusi, M. G.; Valensin, P. E. (2003). "A Mediterranean arbovirus: The Toscana virus". Journal of Neurovirology. 9 (6): 577–583. doi:10.1080/jnv.9.6.577.583. PMID 14602570.