Clinically Important Phleboviruses and Their Detection in Human Samples.

Amy J Lambert,Holly R Hughes

doi:10.3390/v13081500

Abstract

The detection of phleboviruses (family: Phenuiviridae) in human samples is challenged by the overall diversity and genetic complexity of clinically relevant strains, their predominantly nondescript clinical associations, and a related lack of awareness among some clinicians and laboratorians. Here, we seek to inform the detection of human phlebovirus infections by providing a brief introduction to clinically relevant phleboviruses, as well as key targets and approaches for their detection. Given the diversity of pathogens within the genus, this report focuses on diagnostic attributes that are generally shared among these agents and should be used as a complement to, rather than a replacement of, more detailed discussions on the detection of phleboviruses at the individual virus level.

Highlights

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road-Foothills Research Campus, Arbovirus Diagnostic and Reference Team, Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3156 Rampart Road-Foothills Research Campus, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA
As discussed elsewhere in this issue [1], reassortant phleboviruses result from an exchange of genomic segments between related parental phlebovirus strains
This phenomenon is facilitated by the segmented nature of the tripartite phlebovirus genome and could predicate novel disease emergence should that exchange of segments confer some fitness advantage or altered pathogenicity in the human host

Summary

An introduction to Clinically Important Phleboviruses

11 phlebovirus species isolated from geographic locations spanning both hemispheres are associated with human disease (Table 1) This number is subject and likely to change due to an evolving taxonomy [1], as well as the remarkable rate of recent phlebovirus discoveries, such as Ntepe and Drin viruses [2,3] and the detection of novel reassortant viruses, such as Ponticelli I, II, and III in the arthropod host [4]. In addition to a more common febrile syndrome This unique presentation facilitates the diagnosis of Toscana virus infections in the clinical setting, in Italy during the summer months where physicians are aware of its likely circulation and distinguishing (among sandfly-borne phleboviruses) disease association

Key Targets for the Detection of Phlebovirus Infections

Direct Detection

Detection of Antibodies