Toscana Virus Infection Imported from Elba into Switzerland

and rVIV 2 primers, the A-type DNA, respectively. The genus-specifi c DNA amplifi ed both types at random. Some colleagues have experienced similar diffi culties with the primers pmk 8 and pmkr 9 in samples from Vietnam (5); 2 of 5 samples gave false positive results for P. knowlesi. Unfortunately, their report did not mention which species was actually amplifi ed (5). Until recently, we had no satisfying explanation for the 3 assumed falsepositive results. Then, in 2009, Imwong et al. reported that these P. knowlesi primers stochastically cross-react with P. vivax genomic DNA. No polymorphisms alleviating the binding of pmk8 were found; however, a new PCR for P. knowlesi was introduced (10). Given the large distribution of the vector and the natural host of P. knowlesi in Southeast Asia, it is likely that P. knowlesi will be found in other parts of Indonesia. As microscopic and molecular diagnosis of this parasite seems diffi cult, the underestimation of its distribution and clinical relevance can be assumed.