Neutralization-based seroprevalence of Toscana virus and sandfly fever Sicilian virus in dogs in the Republic of Kosovo
Phlebovirus 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.
Authors
- Agim Rexhepi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9407-8110)
- Rémi N. Charrel (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7675-8251)
- Kurtesh Sherifi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3399-6428)
- Jovana Stefanovska (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1598-7146)
- Aleksandar Cvetkovikj (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6582-7020)
- Nazlı Ayhan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4979-6794)
- Edwin Kniha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6875-7056)
- Betim Xhekaj (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2757-0591)
- Elif Kurum
Institutions
- Inserm (FR)
- Aix-Marseille Université (FR)
- Laboratoire National de Référence (MA)
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR)
- Medical University of Vienna (AT)
- Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje (MK)
- University of Prishtina (XK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Parasites & Vectors
- Published
- 2025-02-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06681-7
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.79