RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pathogenicity of a recently discovered arthropod-transmitted bunyavirus (Toscana virus) on the CNS in children and to provide information on the epidemiologic and clinical aspects of Toscana virus infection. STUDY DESIGN: Case-series analysis of children hospitalized with clinical and cerebrospinal fluid examination compatible with a CNS disease of viral origin. METHODS: Cerebrospinal fluid, acute, and convalescent sera were investigated for conventional neurotropic viruses and for Toscana and tickborne encephalitis viruses. A clinical-epidemiologic analysis was carried out on confirmed Toscana virus cases to clarify the profile of Toscana virus infection in children. RESULTS: The study indicates that (1) Toscana virus has been endemic in the Siena province for at least 15 years; (2) the virus is responsible for at least 80% of acute viral infections of the CNS in children throughout the summertime; (3) the clinical signs and symptoms range from aseptic meningitis to meningoencephalitis; (4) infected children resided habitually or temporarily in rural or suburban areas of the Siena province, where ecological characteristics allow arthropods to be peridomestic in human settlements. CONCLUSIONS: Toscana virus is the most common viral agent involved in acute infections of CNS in children in central Italy.