Co-circulation of a novel phlebovirus and Massilia virus in sandflies, Portugal.

Fátima Amaro,Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit,Daniel Cadar,Joachim Clos,Stefanie Christine Becker,Jessica Börstler,Líbia Zé-Zé,Maria J Alves,Stephan Lorenzen

doi:10.1186/s12985-015-0407-0

Abstract

BackgroundIn Portugal, entomological surveys to detect phleboviruses in their natural vectors have not been performed so far. Thus, the aims of the present study were to detect, isolate and characterize phleboviruses in sandfly populations of Portugal.FindingsFrom May to October 2007–2008, 896 female sandflies were trapped in Arrábida region, located on the southwest coast of Portugal. Phlebovirus RNA was detected by using a pan-phlebovirus RT-PCR in 4 out of 34 Phlebotomus perniciosus pools. Direct sequencing of the amplicons showed that 2 samples exhibited 72 % nucleotide identity with Arbia virus, and two showed 96 % nucleotide identity with Massilia virus. The Arbia-like virus (named Alcube virus) was isolated in cell culture and complete genomic sequences of one Alcube and two Massila viruses were determined using next-generation sequencing technology. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Alcube virus clustered with members of the Salehabad virus species complex. Within this clade, Alcube virus forms a monophyletic lineage with the Arbia, Salehabad and Adana viruses sharing a common ancestor. Arbia virus has been identified as the most closely related virus with 20-28 % nucleotide and 10-27 % amino acid divergences depending on the analysed segment.ConclusionsWe have provided genetic evidence for the circulation of a novel phlebovirus species named Alcube virus in Ph. perniciosus and co-circulation of Massilia virus, in Arrábida region, southwest of Portugal. Further epidemiological investigations and surveillance for sandfly-borne phleboviruses in Portugal are needed to elucidate their medical importance.

Highlights

In Portugal, entomological surveys to detect phleboviruses in their natural vectors have not been performed so far
The most widely distributed pathogens transmitted by sandflies are protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, but they act as vectors of several phleboviruses (Phlebovirus genus, Bunyaviridae family) that are associated with human illness [1,2,3]
In order to address the lack of information about phlebotomine sandflies as vectors of phleboviruses in Portugal, Amaro et al Virology Journal (2015) 12:174 field collections were made in Arrábida region, located on the southwest coast of Portugal (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

In Portugal, entomological surveys to detect phleboviruses in their natural vectors have not been performed so far. Conclusions: We have provided genetic evidence for the circulation of a novel phlebovirus species named Alcube virus in Ph. perniciosus and co-circulation of Massilia virus, in Arrábida region, southwest of Portugal.

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