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Background <p>Phlebotomine sand flies are the key vectors for phleboviruses (order Hareavirales and family Phenuiviridae), of which some are associated with febrile diseases and nervous system infections. In the Mediterranean Basin, Toscana virus (TOSV; <i>Phlebovirus toscanaense</i>) and sandfly fever Sicilian viruses (SFSV; <i>Phlebovirus siciliaense</i>) are important human pathogens, and their endemicity has been known for decades, particularly in the Balkan countries. While the circulation of both viruses is highly evident among humans and livestock in the Central Balkan country Kosovo, data from companion animals are scarce; however, it might help to further assess the distribution of both viruses in the country.</p> Methods <p>Sera of dogs from all seven districts of Kosovo were screened for TOSV and SFSV antibodies by seroneutralization assays.</p> Results <p>Altogether, 45 of 288 (15.6%) samples showed anti-<i>Phlebovirus</i> antibodies, of which 36 (12.5%) were against TOSV, 11 (3.8%) were against SFSV, and 2 (0.7%) were positive for antibodies against both viruses.</p> Conclusions <p><i>Phlebovirus</i> seroprevalence was observed in all seven districts of the country, generally being higher for TOSV compared with SFSV. Our study presents the first assessment of neutralization-based seroprevalence of two medically important phleboviruses among dogs in the Republic of Kosovo. Although healthy dogs are unsusceptible to <i>Phlebovirus</i> infection, dogs with leishmaniasis can be potential amplifying hosts. Given the high number of stray dogs, frequent uncontrolled spreading of phleboviruses in dogs, and potential spillover in populated regions of the country, these findings should be taken into consideration.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Neutralization-based seroprevalence of Toscana virus and sandfly fever Sicilian virus in dogs in the Republic of Kosovo

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月10日

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  • Betim Xhekaj,
  • Elif Kurum,
  • Jovana Stefanovska,
  • Aleksandar Cvetkovikj,
  • Kurtesh Sherifi,
  • Agim Rexhepi,
  • Remi Charrel,
  • Edwin Kniha,
  • Nazli Ayhan

摘要

Background

Phlebotomine sand flies are the key vectors for phleboviruses (order Hareavirales and family Phenuiviridae), of which some are associated with febrile diseases and nervous system infections. In the Mediterranean Basin, Toscana virus (TOSV; Phlebovirus toscanaense) and sandfly fever Sicilian viruses (SFSV; Phlebovirus siciliaense) are important human pathogens, and their endemicity has been known for decades, particularly in the Balkan countries. While the circulation of both viruses is highly evident among humans and livestock in the Central Balkan country Kosovo, data from companion animals are scarce; however, it might help to further assess the distribution of both viruses in the country.

Methods

Sera of dogs from all seven districts of Kosovo were screened for TOSV and SFSV antibodies by seroneutralization assays.

Results

Altogether, 45 of 288 (15.6%) samples showed anti-Phlebovirus antibodies, of which 36 (12.5%) were against TOSV, 11 (3.8%) were against SFSV, and 2 (0.7%) were positive for antibodies against both viruses.

Conclusions

Phlebovirus seroprevalence was observed in all seven districts of the country, generally being higher for TOSV compared with SFSV. Our study presents the first assessment of neutralization-based seroprevalence of two medically important phleboviruses among dogs in the Republic of Kosovo. Although healthy dogs are unsusceptible to Phlebovirus infection, dogs with leishmaniasis can be potential amplifying hosts. Given the high number of stray dogs, frequent uncontrolled spreading of phleboviruses in dogs, and potential spillover in populated regions of the country, these findings should be taken into consideration.

Graphical Abstract