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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 42388838 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2026.101488

Mirusha virus: A novel sand fly-borne phlebovirus with evidence of neutralizing antibodies in humans and dogs in Kosovo.

One Health 23:101488

Authors: Xhevat Jakupi, Elif Kurum, Betim Xhekaj, Ina Hoxha, Julia Walochnik, Vít Dvořák, Donjeta Hajdari, Pranvera Abazi, Adelheid G Obwaller, Jovana Stefanovska, Aleksandar Cvetkovikj, Kurtesh Sherifi, Remi Charrel, Edwin Kniha, Katharina Platzgummer, Nazli Ayhan

Affiliations

  • Medical Faculty, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Prishtina, Kosovo. National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  • Unitédes Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Univ, Università di Corsica, IRD 190, Inserm 1207, IRBA), Marseille, France.
  • Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  • Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Institute of Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
  • Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University Prague, Prague, Czech Republic.
  • National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  • Division of Science, Research and Development, Federal Ministry of Defence, Vienna, Austria.
  • Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Skopje, Macedonia.
  • National Reference Center for Arboviruses, Inserm-IRBA, Marseille, France.

Abstract

In Europe, phleboviruses are transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies, which are widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin, including the Balkan peninsula. We report the identification and isolation of Mirusha virus (MRSHV), a novel member of the Phlebovirus corfouense species within the Phenuiviridae family, based on a > 95% genetic identity at the aminoacid level for Large segment between MRSHV and Corfou virus. MRSHV was isolated from a Phlebotomus perfiliewi sand fly specimen collected in Kosovo in 2022. Whole genome sequencing of MRSHV the characteristic trisegmented genome architecture of phleboviruses. Mammalian cells, including green monkey cell lines, were susceptible to MRSHV, with limited replication in dog macrophage cells, whereas no replication was observed in mosquito cell lines, suggesting a vector-specific adaptation. Specific neutralizing antibodies were detected in dogs (2.0%) and in humans (0.8%) from various regions of Kosovo, indicating a broader geographic circulation. Our findings describe a previously uncharacterized phlebovirus and underscore the importance of considering sand fly-borne phlebovirus infections in cases of undiagnosed febrile illness during the vector-active season, as well as expanding arbovirus surveillance to include hematophagous arthropods beyond mosquitoes.

MeSH

Sand, Cells, Phlebovirus, Antibodies, Genome, Antibodies, Neutralizing, Cell Line, Viruses