@article{fdi:010061156,
  title = {{C}o-{C}irculation of {T}oscana virus and {P}unique virus in northern {T}unisia : a microneutralisation-based seroprevalence study},
  author = {{S}akhria, {S}. and {B}ichaud, {L}. and {M}ensi, {M}. and {S}alez, {N}. and {D}achraoui, {K}. and {T}hirion, {L}aurence and {C}herni, {S}. and {C}helbi, {I}. and de {L}amballerie, {X}avier and {Z}hioua, {E}. and {C}harrel, {R}. {N}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground: {I}n northern {T}unisia, the co-circulation of two related sand fly-borne phleboviruses, {T}oscana virus ({TOSV}) and {P}unique virus ({PUNV}) was previously demonstrated. {I}n contrast to {TOSV}, a prominent human pathogen, there is no data supporting that {PUNV} is capable to infect and cause disease to humans. {W}e studied the respective involvement of {TOSV} and {PUNV} in human infections in northern {T}unisia through a seroprevalence study. {M}ethods: {T}he presence of {TOSV} and {PUNV} neutralising antibodies ({NT}-{A}b) was tested in human sera collected from 5 districts of the governorate of {B}izerte, and the titres of {NT}-{A}b were estimated by microneutralisation ({MN}) assay. {P}rincipal {F}indings: {A} total of 1,273 sera were processed. {TOSV} and {PUNV} {NT}-{A}b were detected in 522 (41%) and 111 sera (8.72%) respectively. {TOSV} seroprevalence varied from 17.2% to 59.4% depending on the district. {A}nalysis of {TOSV} geometric mean titre values demonstrated a constant increase according to the age. {T}he vast majority of sera containing {NT}-{A}b were found to be more reactive toward {TOSV} than {PUNV}. {I}ndeed, past infections with {PUNV} and {TOSV} were undisputable for 5 and 414 sera, respectively. {C}onclusions: {PUNV} may be capable to infect humans but at a low rate. {TOSV} is responsible for the vast majority of human infections by sand fly-borne phleboviruses in northern {T}unisia. {TOSV} must be considered by physician and tested in diagnostic laboratories for patients with meningitis and unexplained fever in northern {T}unisia.},
  keywords = {{TUNISIE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}los {N}eglected {T}ropical {D}iseases},
  volume = {7},
  numero = {9},
  pages = {e2429},
  ISSN = {1935-2735},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0002429},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010061156},
}