Video:Pappataci fever
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Description
Pappataci fever (also known as Phlebotomus fever and three-day fever) is a vector-borne febrile arboviral infection caused by three serotypes of Phlebovirus. It occurs in subtropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. The name, pappataci fever, comes from the Italian word for sandfly; it is the union of the words pappa (food) and taci (silent), distinguishing these insects from blood-feeding mosquitoes, which produce a typical noise while flying.[1][2][3]Diagnosis may be achieved via PCR.[1]There is no current treatment for the disease.[4]
Presentation
As to presentation we find that a few days after the infective bite, a feeling of lassitude, abdominal distress and chills develop followed by fever , joint aches, flushing of the face and a fast heart rate. After two days the fever begins to subside and the temperature returns to normal. Fatigue, a slow heart rate and low blood pressure may persist from a few days to several weeks but complete recovery is the rule.[1][2]
Cause
Phleboviruses are viruses with a negative-sense RNA genome consisting of three segments. The small segment (S) codes for the viral N protein and a non structural protein, NSs via an ambisense coding strategy. The medium-sized segment (M) codes for a precursor of the viral glycoproteins and non-structural components. The product of the largest segment (L) is the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Three serotypes of Phlebovirus are known as the causative agents: Naples virus, Sicilian virus and Toscana virus.[5][6]
Transmission
The disease is transmitted by the bites of phlebotomine sandflies of the Genus Phlebotomus, in particular, Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus perfiliewi. The sandfly becomes infected when biting an infected human in the period between 48 hours before the onset of fever and 24 hours after the end of the fever, and remains infected for its lifetime.Besides this horizontal virus transmission from man to sandfly, the virus can be transmitted in insects transovarially, from an infected female sandfly to its offspring.[1][2]
Diagnosis
Although commercial tests are not readily available, diagnosis can be confirmed by serology-based assays or quantitative PCR by laboratories that have developed assays to perform such identification.[1][2]
Differential diagnosis
As to the differential diagnosis we find that evaluation of those with Pappataci fever might include:[1][7][1] Salmonellosis, Toxoplasma and Leptospirosis.
Prevention
Prevention of sandfly bites, and control of sandflies and their breeding grounds with insecticides are the principal methods for prevention. Mosquito nets may not be sufficient to prevent sandfly bites.[2]
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for the disease. Pain killers and fluid replacement may be useful.[4]
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Epidemiology
Pappataci fever is prevalent in the subtropical zone of the Eastern Hemisphere between 20 degrees north and 45 degrees north, particularly in Southern Europe, North Africa, the Balkans, Eastern Mediterranean, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.[8][9]
History
In terms of history we find that the viral nature and transmission by Phlebotomus sandflies were clarified during World War II by researchers Albert B. Sabin, Cornelius B. Philip, and John R. Paul, who conducted investigations for the U.S. Army.[10]
Research
As to research we find a 2025 article indicates a study of 800 blood donors found measurable exposure to Sicilian virus , confirming circulation of phleboviruses in mainland Portugal. This is important because it shows silent transmission in non-traditional endemic zones. The author indicates "involvement of [a] distinct vector species".[11]
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Magill, Alan J.; Strickland, G. Thomas; Maguire, James H.; Ryan, Edward T.; Solomon, Tom (12 November 2012). Hunter's Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Disease E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 320. ISBN 978-1-4557-4043-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Dehghani, Rouhullah; Kassiri, Hamid; Khodkar, Iman; Karami, Saina (May 2021). "A comprehensive overview on sandfly fever". Journal of Acute Disease. 10 (3): 98–106. doi:10.4103/2221-6189.316673.
- ↑ "Phlebotomus Fever disease: Malacards - Research Articles, Drugs, Genes, Clinical Trials". www.malacards.org. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Tavana AM. Sandfly fever in the world. Ann Trop Med Public Health 2015;8:83–7
- ↑ Modrow, Susanne; Falke, Dietrich; Truyen, Uwe; Schätzl, Hermann. Molecular Virology. Springer. p. 460. ISBN 978-3-642-20718-1.
- ↑ Encyclopedia of Virology. Academic Press. 24 February 2021. p. 766. ISBN 978-0-12-814516-6. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ↑ Özkale, Yasemin; Özkale, Murat; Kiper, Pinar; Çetinkaya, Bilin; Erol, İlknur (June 2016). "Sadfly fever: two case reports". Turk Pediatri Arsivi. 51 (2): 110–113. doi:10.5152/TurkPediatriArs.2015.1734. ISSN 1306-0015. PMC 4959739. PMID 27489469.
- ↑ Gratz N.G. (2004). The vector-borne human diseases in Europe. Their distribution and burden on public health (PDF). Copenhagen, Denmark. pp. 25–6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2010-05-03. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) Archived 2010-05-03 at the Wayback Machine - ↑ Hukić, Mirsada; Salimović-Besić, Irma (February 2009). "Sandfly - Pappataci fever in Bosnia and Herzegovina: the new-old disease". Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 9 (1): 39–43. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2009.2854. ISSN 1512-8601. PMC 5645546. PMID 19284393.
- ↑ Sabin, Albert B. (1 July 1944). "PHLEBOTOMUS (PAPPATACI OR SANDFLY) FEVER: A DISEASE OF MILITARY IMPORTANCE SUMMARY OF EXISTING KNOWLEDGE AND PRELIMINARY REPORT OF ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONS". Journal of the American Medical Association. 125 (9): 603. doi:10.1001/jama.1944.02850270001001. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ↑ Rocha, Rafael; Kurum, Elif; Ayhan, Nazli; Charrel, Rémi; Maia, Carla (5 July 2025). "Seroprevalence of sand fly fever Sicilian virus in blood donors in mainland Portugal". Parasites & Vectors. 18 (1): 261. doi:10.1186/s13071-025-06885-x. ISSN 1756-3305. PMID 40618143.