A hospital epidemic of Lassa fever in Zorzor, Liberia, March-April 1972

Monath, Thomas P.; Mertens, Pierre; Patton, Robert J.; Moser, Chris; Baum, Jana; Pinneo, L.; Gary, G. William; Kissling, R. E.

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.1973.22.773

Cited by 139 publications

(83 citation statements)

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“…Thus, the genetic sequence data obtained in this study confirm disease transmission events postulated from epidemiological observations. Strains 803201 and 803204 were isolates from an outbreak that occurred at Curran Lutheran Hospital, Zorzor, Liberia, in 1972 (50). Strain 803201 was isolated from a secondary-case patient, and 803204 was isolated from a member of the hospital staff who cared for the index case and the secondary-case patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity among Lassa Virus Strains

Bowen

Rollin

Ksiazek

et al. 2000

J Virol

285

276

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The arenavirus Lassa virus causes Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever that is endemic in the countries of Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea and perhaps elsewhere in West Africa. To determine the degree of genetic diversity among Lassa virus strains, partial nucleoprotein (NP) gene sequences were obtained from 54 strains and analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses showed that Lassa viruses comprise four lineages, three of which are found in Nigeria and the fourth in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Overall strain variation in the partial NP gene sequence was found to be as high as 27% at the nucleotide level and 15% at the amino acid level. Genetic distance among Lassa strains was found to correlate with geographic distance rather than time, and no evidence of a "molecular clock" was found. A method for amplifying and cloning full-length arenavirus S RNAs was developed and used to obtain the complete NP and glycoprotein gene (GP1 and GP2) sequences for two representative Nigerian strains of Lassa virus. Comparison of full-length gene sequences for four Lassa virus strains representing the four lineages showed that the NP gene (up to 23.8% nucleotide difference and 12.0% amino acid difference) is more variable than the glycoprotein genes. Although the evolutionary order of descent within Lassa virus strains was not completely resolved, the phylogenetic analyses of full-length NP, GP1, and GP2 gene sequences suggested that Nigerian strains of Lassa virus were ancestral to strains from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Compared to the New World arenaviruses, Lassa and the other Old World arenaviruses have either undergone a shorter period of diverisification or are evolving at a slower rate. This study represents the first large-scale examination of Lassa virus genetic variation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity among Lassa Virus Strains

Bowen

Rollin

Ksiazek

et al. 2000

J Virol

285

276

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Other possible routes of transmission of Lassa fever such as broken skin or mucus membrane directly exposed to infectious material have also been suggested by other investigators [5,9]. Epidemics arising from human-tohuman transmission have equally been established in healthcare institutions in Africa [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…It is estimated that between 15-20% of all hospitalized Lassa fever patients are likely to die from the illness if appropriate medical intervention is not instituted early [3,10] On the other hand, epidemiological and immunological studies have shown that immunity developing in those who survived Lassa virus infection is long lasting [20,21].…”

Section: Epidemiological Trend Of Lassa Fevermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In endemic situation, the overall case fatality rate (CFR) of Lassa fever is estimated to be in the range of 1-10 percent. However, during epidemic outbreak, the CFR of Lassa virus may be up to 50 percent while higher rate has been recorded in severe cases [3,9,10,14] . In contrast to the above scenario, there is relatively low incidence of Lassa fever in advanced countries of the West including North America and parts of Europe [16].…”

Section: Epidemiological Trend Of Lassa Fevermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Review of Lassa fever, an emerging old world haemorrhagic viral disease in sub-Saharan Africa

Azeez-Akande¹

2016

Af J Clin Exp Micro

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Lassa fever is an acute immunosuppressive illness of increasing public health concern causing severe morbidity and significant mortality (Case fatality rate (CFR) ≥ 50%) especially in epidemic cases. Although Lassa fever has emerged (following its first detection (1969) in Lassa town, Nigeria) as one of the most prevalent and debilitating viral haemorrhagic fevers endemic in West Africa region (Nigeria inclusive), yet, the control/prevention of the regular outbreak of the disease has become an herculean task in the areas affected; there is inadequate healthcare facility (including Laboratory/diagnostic and care centres), poor socioeconomic environment, lack of awareness among the populace and presence of favourable ecologic niche for the survival and propagation of the natural host and reservoir mouse (Mastomys natalensis) of Lassa virus . Lassa fever is mainly transmitted by contact with excretions and secretions of infected rats via foods and water as well as exposure to other contaminated items. Lassa virus is a member of an Old World Arenariruses, of family Arenaviridae. It is an enveloped, single-stranded (SS) bisegmented RNA virus with ability to replicate very rapidly. It consists of 4 lineages; 3 members are identified as ancenstral strains found in Nigeria, while the fourth is domiciled in other West Africa Countries. Lassa virus infects almost every tissue in human body resulting in multisystemic dysfunction. The incubation period is generally between 6 to 21 days resulting in 3 stages of clinical manifestation viz: Acute phase characterized by flu-like, non-specific illness; haemorrhagic phase accompanied with gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiovascular/neurologic complications. Currently, there is no clinically certified Lassa fever vaccine thus complicating deterrent or preventive measures. Hence, there is need for intensification of educational programs for the populace on the useful control measures against Lassa fever. The stakeholders need to prioritize intervention and support program and also speed up the processes leading to the production of effective vaccine to limit the menace of Lassa fever outbreak and associated morbidity, fatality and high socio-economic cost.

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“…50 Like filoviruses, person-to-person transmission of the arenaviruses occurs predominantly by direct contact with infectious blood and bodily fluids. A number of nosocomial outbreaks of Lassa fever [51][52][53] and of New World arenaviruses 54 have occurred via this mechanism. As with filoviruses, person-toperson airborne transmission has been suspected in a few instances.…”

Section: Filoviridae: Ebola and Marburgmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses as Biological Weapons: Medical and Public Health Management

&NA;

2002

Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice

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A hospital epidemic of Lassa fever in Zorzor, Liberia, March-April 1972

Cited by 139 publications

References 0 publications

Genetic Diversity among Lassa Virus Strains

Genetic Diversity among Lassa Virus Strains

Review of Lassa fever, an emerging old world haemorrhagic viral disease in sub-Saharan Africa

Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses as Biological Weapons: Medical and Public Health Management

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