[First four cases of acute meningitis due to Toscana virus on monastir region]

ABSTRACT

Toscana virus [TOSV] has been identified as an important cause of acute meningitis in Italy where it was isolated for the first time. Currently, it is one of the major viral pathgens involved in acute meningitis in Mediterranean countries. We describe four cases of acute meningitis caused by TOSV concerning patients hospitalized in the department of infectious diseases, Fattouma Bourguiba university hospital, Monastir [Tunisia]. The demographic data, the clinical and laboratory features and the evolution were reviewed. All patients were male, living in coastal region. They were hospitalized in summer period. The mean age was 26 years. The diagnosis was suspected in the presence of fever and acute meningitis syndrome. Lumbar puncture showed clear cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] containing normal glucose and predominant lymphocyte. This diagnosis was confirmed by detection of anti-TOSV IgM in blood and CSF. The outcome was favorable in all cases. No specific treatment was administered. The mean follow-up was nine months