[An overview of Toscana virus infections].

Toscana virus which is an arbovirus transmitted to humans by sandflies (Phlebotomus spp.), can cause febrile illness and meningitis mainly during summer. It has a tropism for central nervous system and is a major cause of meningitis and encephalitis in endemic countries. Majority of the clinical and epidemiologic studies on Toscana virus have been reported from Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and other Mediterranean countries. Although Toscana virus infections has been identified, data on virus activity in Turkey are limited. In this review article, the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of Toscana virus as a cause of febrile diseases, meningitis and encephalitis during summer in Turkey were discussed.