[Role of Toscana virus in meningo-encephalitis in Tunisia].

OBJECTIVES

To detect the presence of Toscana virus (TOSV) circulation in Tunisia and to study its role in viral meningo-encephalitis.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A total of 315 (167 sera and 178 cerobrospinal fluid [CSF]) samples was investigated. These samples are colleted from Tunisian patients with neurological diseases during the period between January 2003 and December 2009. All samples were tested negative for enterovirus, Herpes Simplex virus and West Nile virus. Detection for IgM and IgG specific to TOSV was done by ELISA tests.

RESULTS

Specific IgM for TOSV were detected in 10 % of patients with neurological diseases (31 cases). These recent infections were distributed throughout the study period and predominated during summer and automn. Patients were originated, in the majority from the coastal region. IgG were isolated in 22 cases (7 %) corresponding to previous infection.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of TOSV circulating in Tunisia and its frequent implication in neurological diseases. These results incited to include TOSV as one of the viral etiologies to target in the diagnosis of viral meningitis and encephalitis in the country.