Ecology of Viruses Isolated from Sand Flies in Italy and Characterization of a New Phlebovirus (Arbia Virus)

Paola Verani Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome

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Maria Grazia Ciufolini Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome

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Silvana Caciolli Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome

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Antonella Renzi Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome

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Loredana Nicoletti Laboratory of Virology, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome

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Guido Sabatinelli Institute of Parasitology, “La Sapienza,” University of Rome

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Dario Bartolozzi Department of Infectious Diseases, S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Florence

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Gino Volpi Department of Neurology, University of Florence

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Luigi Amaducci Department of Neurology, University of Florence

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Mario Coluzzi Institute of Parasitology, “La Sapienza,” University of Rome

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Pietro Paci Department of Infectious Diseases, S. Maria Nuova Hospital, Florence

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Marco Balducci Epidemiological Investigation Unit for Neurotropic Viruses, Toscana Region, Florence, Italy

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1988.38.433
Volume/Issue:
Volume 38: Issue 2
Page(s):
433–439
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A total of 84 virus strains was obtained from 16,374 male and female sand flies (Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. perfiliewi) collected in two localities of Tuscany region in Italy between 1980 and 1985. Thirty-seven (44%) were identified as Toscana virus (family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus) and 47 (56%) as a new member of the Phlebotomus fever serogroup, Arbia virus. The characteristics of this new serotype are described. The overall virus isolation rate from sand flies was 0.5 per 100 insects processed. Virus isolation rates for both viruses were similar in different years and in the two localities, suggesting that the two virus types were active in the sand fly population simultaneously. Each year, the largest number of isolates were obtained during July, corresponding to the period of maximal sand fly population density. Both viruses were repeatedly isolated from male sand flies, suggesting transovrial transmission in nature.

Serologic data showed no evidence of infection among domestic and wild animals. However, a strain of Toscana virus was isolated from the brain of a bat (Pipistrellus kuhli), indicating a possible involvement of this species in the ecology of the virus. Serologic tests did not provide definitive evidence for human infection by Arbia virus.

Author Notes

Copyright:
Copyright © 1988 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1988
Accepted:
10 Aug 1987
|
Published Online:
Mar 1988
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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