[Virological study of cases of sandfly fever in Afghanistan].

Three strains (Af-1008, Af-1038, and Af-130) of Neapolitan sandfly fever virus (NSFF) and 2 strains (Af-1028 and Af-83) of Sicilian sandfly fever virus (SSFF) were isolated from febrile patients among soldiers of the limited military contingent of Soviet troops in Afghanistan in May-August, 1986-1987. The viruses were isolated in neonate mice and identified by indirect immunofluorescence, complement-fixation tests and plaque reduction neutralization test in Vero E6 and SPEV cells. The new NSFF strains in serological tests differed slightly from the original Sabin strain and completely differed from Toskana virus.