''Sicilian phlebovirus'' is a

phlebovirus ''Phlebovirus'' is one of twenty genera of the family ''Phenuiviridae'' in the order ''Bunyavirales''. The genus contains 66 species. It derives its name from Phlebotominae, the Vector (disease vector, vectors of member species ''Naples phlebovir ...

associated with sandfly fever. It is related to the Naples and Toscana viruses, which also cause sandfly fever.

Discovery

The virus was discovered in Palermo, Sicilia, Italy where it affected troops of the World War II Allied Army Forces after the 1943 Sicily landings.

Clinical

Sandfly fever is a nonfatal influenza-like illness. The incubation period is 3–6 days, and signs and symptoms include high

fever Fever, also referred to as pyrexia, is defined as having a body temperature, temperature above the human body temperature, normal range due to an increase in the body's temperature Human body temperature#Fever, set point. There is not a single ...

that lasts 3–74 hours,

malaise As a medical term, malaise is a feeling of general discomfort, uneasiness or lack of wellbeing and often the first sign of an infection or other disease. The word has existed in French since at least the 12th century. The term is often used ...

, abdominal pain, headache, severe retro-orbital pain, lower back pain,

photophobia Photophobia is a medical symptom of abnormal intolerance to visual perception of light. As a medical symptom photophobia is not a morbid fear or phobia, but an experience of discomfort or pain to the eyes due to light exposure or by presence of ...

, and

anorexia Anorexia nervosa, often referred to simply as anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by low weight, food restriction, body image disturbance, fear of gaining weight, and an overpowering desire to be thin. ''Anorexia'' is a term of Gre ...

. Marked

leukopenia Leukopenia () is a decrease in the number of leukocytes (WBC). Found in the blood, they are the white blood cells, and are the body's primary defense against an infection. Thus the condition of leukopenia places individuals at increased risk of inf ...

may occur. Patients may also experience transient diarrhea or constipation with abdominal discomfort. The only sandfly fever virus known to be neurotropic is Toscana virus. However, there have been a report of encephalitis and aseptic meningitis associated with SFSV. Treatment is supportive but ribavirin may be beneficial in severe or rapidly decompensating cases. There is little or no serologic cross-reactivity between sandfly fever viruses. Infection can be confirmed through serologic

IgM Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is one of several isotypes of antibody (also known as immunoglobulin) that are produced by vertebrates. IgM is the largest antibody, and it is the first antibody to appear in the response to initial exposure to an antig ...

testing.

Epidemiology

The virus is found in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and parts of central and southern Asia, such as Italy, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Cyprus, Algeria, and Turkey. The peak incidence occurs in warm months, especially August, when the

Phlebotomus papatasi ''Phlebotomus'' is a genus of " sand flies" in the Diptera family Psychodidae. In the past, they have sometimes been considered to belong in a separate family, Phlebotomidae, but this alternative classification has not gained wide acceptance. E ...

sandfly vectors, which transmit the virus during blood feeding, are most active. One study has suggested that living near wastewater treatment facilities and the presence of livestock inside the home are risk factors for infection.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q29887743 Phleboviruses