Evidence of an autochthonous Toscana virus strain in Croatia.
BACKGROUND
Phleboviruses are large and widespread group of viruses that are transmitted by arthropods and they have been reported to circulate in endemic regions of Mediterranean Basin, including Croatia.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of Toscana virus, as a cause of the aseptic meningitis, in summer months in Croatia.


METHODS
Samples from 30 patients with aseptic meningitis were retrospectively tested by serology and RT-PCR for TOSV.


RESULTS
TOSV RNA was detected in 2/30 and TOSV IgM antibodies were found in 4/30 of patients. Phylogenetic analysis of partial L and S segments suggests that TOSV from Croatia represents an autochthonous strain.


CONCLUSIONS
The study has confirmed the role of TOSV as an agent that causes aseptic meningitis in Croatia, therefore it should be considered by physicians when encountering meningitis or febrile illness among indigenous population or travellers during the summer months.
University of Split School of Medicine and University Hospital, Split, Croatia.
Volga
V
Punda-Polić
Bojana
B
Mohar
Darja
D
Duh
Nikola
N
Bradarić
Miša
M
Korva
Luka
L
Fajs
Ana
A
Saksida
Tatjana
T
Avšič-Županc
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002044:Bunyaviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017523:Croatia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D029301:Sandfly fever Naples virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012367:RNA, Viral