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

Chris Hoffmann, Susanne Krasemann, Stephanie Wurr, Kristin Hartmann, Elisa Adam, Sabrina Bockholt, Jonas Müller, Stephan Günther and Lisa Oestereich ()
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Chris Hoffmann: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Susanne Krasemann: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Stephanie Wurr: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Kristin Hartmann: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Elisa Adam: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Sabrina Bockholt: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Jonas Müller: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Stephan Günther: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine
Lisa Oestereich: Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: 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 transmit the virus throughout their lives. Our findings underscore the crucial role of persistently infected individuals, particularly infected females and their progeny, in LASV dissemination within the host population.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53616-4

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