Sand flies and Toscana virus: Intra-vector infection dynamics and impact on Phlebotomus perniciosus life-history traits.

Toscana virus (TOSV) is a leading cause of summer viral meningitis in Southern Europe (Central Italy, south of France, Spain and Portugal) and can cause severe neurological cases. Within the Mediterranean basin, it is transmitted by hematophagous sand flies belonging to the Phlebotomus genus. Despite the identification of the primary TOSV vectors, the viral developmental cycle in vector species remains largely unknown.

Persistence of Toscana virus in sugar and blood meals of phlebotomine sand flies: epidemiological and experimental consequences.

Many virological studies have tested the persistence of enveloped RNA viruses in various environmental and laboratory conditions and shown their short-term persistence. In this article, we analyzed Toscana virus (TOSV) infectivity, a pathogenic sandfly-borne phlebovirus, in two different conditions: in the sugar meal and blood meal of sand flies. Our results showed that TOSV RNA was detectable up to 15 days in sugar solution at 26 °C and up to 6 h in blood at 37 °C.

Incubation Period for Neuroinvasive Toscana Virus Infections.

Toscana virus (TOSV) is an emerging pathogen in the Mediterranean area and is neuroinvasive in its most severe form. Basic knowledge on TOSV biology is limited. We conducted a systematic review on travel-related infections to estimate the TOSV incubation period.

Broader Geographical Distribution of Toscana Virus in the Mediterranean Region Suggests the Existence of Larger Varieties of Sand Fly Vectors.

Toscana virus (TOSV) is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, where it is transmitted by sand flies. TOSV can infect humans and cause febrile illness as well as neuroinvasive infections affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Although TOSV is a significant human pathogen, it remains neglected and there are consequently many gaps of knowledge.