Viruses (Oct 2023)

Development of a Real-Time PCR Assay for the Detection of the Phlebovirus Fermo Virus

  • Mattia Calzolari,
  • Simone Russo,
  • Katia Marzani,
  • Gastone Dalmonte,
  • Matteo Ricchi,
  • Paolo Bonilauri

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/v15102082
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 10
p. 2082

Abstract

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Fermo virus is a Phlebovirus that is increasingly reported in sand flies from northern Italy. The natural cycle is not fully understood, but the virus has been detected by direct methods only in sand flies. Although there is serological evidence that it can infect vertebrates, the virus has not been directly detected in animals or humans. Here, we have developed and reported a specific real-time PCR for Fermo virus. The availability of the described method will be useful to characterize the epidemiology of the FERV, ensuring, compared to previously available protocols, a more sensitive detection in insects and the possible detection in vertebrates to evaluate the presence of reservoirs and the pathogenic potential of the virus in humans or animals.

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