Sandfly fever virus as a cause of encephalitis in Egypt

Sandfly fever (SF) viruses are known to spread in the Mideteranean basin and some species were shown to cause different forms of encephalitis. This case report describes an 8-year-old girl who was admitted to a rural hospital in Egypt with fever and myalgia. The clinical presentation included signs suggesting cerebrospinal infection. Cerebrospinal fluid aspects suggested viral infection. Virological diagnosis was obtained by serological tests, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and virus isolation cultures against a panel of viruses. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay IgM antibodies and plaque reduction neutralization tests suggested that sandfly Scilian virus is the causing etiology.