Lassa virus persistence with high viral titers following experimental infection in its natural reservoir host, Mastomys natalensis.

ABSTRACT: Lassa virus (LASV) outbreaks in West Africa pose a significant public health threat. We investigated the infection phenotype and transmission (horizontal and vertical) of LASV strain Ba366 in its natural host, Mastomys natalensis. Here we analyze viral RNA levels in body fluids, virus titers in organs and antibody presence in blood. In adults and 2-week-old animals, LASV causes transient infections with subsequent seroconversion. However, mice younger than two weeks exhibit persistent infections lasting up to 16 months despite antibody presence. LASV can be detected in various body fluids, organs, and cell types, primarily in lung, kidney, and gonadal epithelial cells. Despite the systemic virus presence, no pathological alterations in organs are observed. Infected animals efficiently tran

SUBMITTER: Hoffmann C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11522386 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature