Seroprevalence of Toscana virus among residents of Aegean Sea islands, Greece

SummaryPhleboviruses, among them Toscana virus (TOSV), are endemic in the Mediterranean countries. In the present study sera collected from 219 apparently healthy individuals residents of seven islands in the Aegean Sea, Greece, were tested for the detection of TOSV IgG antibodies. Overall, TOSV IgG antibodies were detected in 46/219 (21%) individuals. Samos and Evia islands presented the highest seroprevalence (40% and 34.78%, respectively). There was no significant difference among males and females, while increased age was significantly associated with seropositivity. TOSV, and phleboviruses in general, have to be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile or acute neurological cases among residents or travelers in Mediterranean countries during the summer time, especially when sand fly bites are reported.