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Updated: Aug 30, 2025
Mosquito-Associated Virus Isolation from Field-Collected Mosquitoes
Published on: August 31, 2022
First Isolation of Punique Virus from Sand Flies Collected in Northern Algeria
Hemza Manseur1,2, Aissam Hachid3,4, Ahmed Fayez Khardine3
1Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires, Université de Blida 1, Blida 09000, Algeria.
Abstract:
In the last decade, several phleboviruses transmitted by sand flies were detected in the Mediterranean countries, with the health impact of some of them being unknown. From September to October 2020, a total of 3351 sand flies were captured in Kherrata (Bejaia, northern Algeria) and identified by sex, grouped in 62 pools, which were tested for the presence of phlebovirus RNA using endpoint RT-PCR. Two pools (male and female, respectively) were positive. The genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the two phleboviruses detected were closely related to the Punique virus (PUNV) isolated in Tunisia and detected in Algeria. Both PUNV strains were isolated on VERO cells from positive pools. Morphological identification of 300 sand flies randomly selected, showed a clear dominance of Phlebotomus perniciosus (98.67%). The dominance of this species in the study area was confirmed by PCR targeting the mitochondrial DNA. Our result represents the first isolation of PUNV and the second report in Algeria from two distinct regions which confirm its large circulation in the country and more broadly in North Africa. Further studies are needed to measure the impact on public health through seroprevalence studies in humans as well as animals and to investigate its potential involvement in neurological viral diseases.
Insights
Phleboviruses, including Punique virus (PUNV), are circulating in Algeria, transmitted by sand flies like *Phlebotomus perniciosus*. This study reports the first isolation of PUNV in Algeria, confirming its widespread presence in North Africa.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Several phleboviruses transmitted by sand flies have been identified in Mediterranean countries, but their health impact remains largely unknown.
- Phleboviruses pose a potential public health risk, necessitating surveillance and characterization in endemic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and characterize phleboviruses in sand flies collected in northern Algeria.
- To determine the prevalence and genetic relationship of detected phleboviruses with known strains.
- To identify the dominant sand fly species involved in potential virus transmission.
Main Methods:
- Sand fly collection and morphological identification, focusing on *Phlebotomus perniciosus*.
- RNA extraction from sand fly pools followed by RT-PCR for phlebovirus detection.
- Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of detected phleboviruses.
- Virus isolation in VERO cells.
Main Results:
- Two pools of sand flies tested positive for phlebovirus RNA.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed the detected viruses were closely related to Punique virus (PUNV) from Tunisia and Algeria.
- PUNV strains were successfully isolated from positive sand fly pools.
- *Phlebotomus perniciosus* was the dominant sand fly species (98.67%), confirmed by morphological and molecular methods.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first isolation and second detection of Punique virus (PUNV) in Algeria, indicating its significant circulation in the country and North Africa.
- The findings highlight the role of *Phlebotomus perniciosus* in potential PUNV transmission.
- Further research is recommended to assess the public health impact of PUNV through seroprevalence studies and investigate its association with neurological diseases.
