Lassa fever: review of virology, immunopathogenesis, and algorithms for control and therapy

Lassa fever is an acute viral illness which causes consideration morbidity and mortality in the West African subregion. Recent studies have revealed that platelet and endothelial dysfunction might play a central role in the pathophysiology of this disease. Guidelines for the management of cases of the disease have recently been revised by the Centres for Disease Control, recommending care in local hospitals with use of meticulous barrier nursing techniques. This article reviews the epidemiology, immunology, pathogenesis and pathology, and current algorithms for prevention and therapy.