Toscana virus (TOSV) is major meningitis and meningoencephalitis agent in the Mediterranean basin. Dogs are frequently exposed to TOSV; thereby they can contribute to estimating its circulation. In Algeria, little is known about its circulation, and available data are restricted to the Kabylian region. To investigate the current situation in Algeria, a total of 205 dog sera collected from 13 different wilayas over the country were analyzed by using in-house Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and microneutralization test (MNT). An overall seroprevalence rate of 20% (14.5-25.5%) was observed by ELISA. Whereas, a seroprevalence rate of 4.56% (1.65-7.43%) was recorded by microneutralization test elucidating the exact occurrence of TOSV exposure in dogs, in Algeria. Positive dogs were detected from the areas of Algiers, Bejaia, Blida, Bouira, Medea, Setif, and Tlemcen in the north; Laghouat in the high lands and Tamanrasset in great Sahara. Only one serum, originating from Bejaia in the north east, was positive for both testing methods, while 8/9 positive sera in MNT remained negative in ELISA. MNT negative/ELISA positive result of 40/41 might suggest evidence for dog transmission, and circulation of phleboviruses other than TOSV. Noticeably, TOSV and antigenically related viruses are largely prevalent. Thus, they are not only confined to Kabylia region, but are widespread in Algeria, despite its climate diversity.
Keywords: Africa; Arbovirus; ELISA; Meningitis; Meningoencephalitis; Phenuiviridae; Toscana phlebovirus.
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