Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39930491›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Neutralization-based seroprevalence of Toscana virus and sandfly fever Sicilian virus in dogs in the Republic of Kosovo.

Betim Xhekaj, Elif Kurum, Jovana Stefanovska, Aleksandar Cvetkovikj, Kurtesh Sherifi, Agim Rexhepi, Remi Charrel, Edwin Kniha, Nazli Ayhan

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. One health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Betim Xhekaj *Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Bulevardi "Bill Clinton", 10000, Pristina, Kosovo.
Elif Kurum *Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ, Università di Corsica, IRD 190, Inserm 1207, IRBA), Marseille, France.
Jovana StefanovskaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Lazar Pop-Trajkov 5-7, Skopje, 1000, North Macedonia.
Aleksandar CvetkovikjFaculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Lazar Pop-Trajkov 5-7, Skopje, 1000, North Macedonia.
Kurtesh SherifiFaculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Bulevardi "Bill Clinton", 10000, Pristina, Kosovo.
Agim RexhepiFaculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Bulevardi "Bill Clinton", 10000, Pristina, Kosovo.
Remi CharrelUnité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ, Università di Corsica, IRD 190, Inserm 1207, IRBA), Marseille, France.
Edwin Kniha *Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
Nazli Ayhan *Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ, Università di Corsica, IRD 190, Inserm 1207, IRBA), Marseille, France. nazli.ayhan@univ-amu.fr.

Funding

European Union's Horizon 2020 871029FORTE of the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) 886318Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Kosovo 2-1775Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Education MEB1416
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPhlebotomine sand flies are the key vectors for phleboviruses (order Hareavirales and family Phenuiviridae), of which some are associated with febrile diseases and nervous system infections. In the Mediterranean Basin, Toscana virus (TOSV; Phlebovirus toscanaense) and sandfly fever Sicilian viruses (SFSV; Phlebovirus siciliaense) are important human pathogens, and their endemicity has been known for decades, particularly in the Balkan countries. While the circulation of both viruses is highly evident among humans and livestock in the Central Balkan country Kosovo, data from companion animals are scarce; however, it might help to further assess the distribution of both viruses in the country.

methodsSera of dogs from all seven districts of Kosovo were screened for TOSV and SFSV antibodies by seroneutralization assays.

resultsAltogether, 45 of 288 (15.6%) samples showed anti-Phlebovirus antibodies, of which 36 (12.5%) were against TOSV, 11 (3.8%) were against SFSV, and 2 (0.7%) were positive for antibodies against both viruses.

conclusionsPhlebovirus seroprevalence was observed in all seven districts of the country, generally being higher for TOSV compared with SFSV. Our study presents the first assessment of neutralization-based seroprevalence of two medically important phleboviruses among dogs in the Republic of Kosovo. Although healthy dogs are unsusceptible to Phlebovirus infection, dogs with leishmaniasis can be potential amplifying hosts. Given the high number of stray dogs, frequent uncontrolled spreading of phleboviruses in dogs, and potential spillover in populated regions of the country, these findings should be taken into consideration.

Indexed as

Antibodies, ViralBunyaviridae InfectionsDog DiseasesPhlebotomus FeverPhlebovirusSandfly fever Naples virusAnimalsAntibodies, NeutralizingDogsFemaleKosovoMaleNeutralization TestsPsychodidaeSeroepidemiologic StudiesAntibodies, NeutralizingAntibodies, ViralBalkanPhlebovirusSand fly feverSeroneutralization assayStray dogsToscana virus

Identifiers

PMID39930491
PMCPMC11812177

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.