Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

48.4K
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
48.4K
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores02:40

Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores

16.0K
Plants often form mutualistic relationships with soil-dwelling fungi or bacteria to enhance their roots’ nutrient uptake ability. Root-colonizing fungi (e.g., mycorrhizae) increase a plant’s root surface area, which promotes nutrient absorption. While root-colonizing, nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., rhizobia) convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3), making nitrogen available to plants for various biological functions. For example, nitrogen is essential for the...
16.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Evaluation of antigen and antibody assays for surveillance of Lassa virus in peri-domestic rodents in southeastern Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study.

The Lancet. Microbe·2026
Same author

Novel Tools for Lassa Virus Surveillance in Peri-domestic Rodents.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2023
Same author

Predicting the evolution of the Lassa virus endemic area and population at risk over the next decades.

Nature communications·2022
Same author

Ebola virus delta peptide is an enterotoxin.

Cell reports·2022
Same author

Cross-Reactive Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in Pre-COVID-19 Blood Samples from Sierra Leoneans.

Viruses·2021
Same author

Emergence of an early SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in the United States.

Cell·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Standard Operating Procedure for Lyssavirus Surveillance of the Bat Population in Taiwan
07:55

Standard Operating Procedure for Lyssavirus Surveillance of the Bat Population in Taiwan

Published on: August 27, 2019

7.7K

Ecology of Lassa Virus.

Allison R Smither1, Antoinette R Bell-Kareem2

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA. asmither@tulane.edu.

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|February 10, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Lassa fever, caused by Lassa virus (LASV), occurs mainly in West Africa despite its rodent host

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Viral Zoonoses
  • Rodent Ecology

Background:

  • Lassa fever is a significant public health concern in West Africa, driven by Lassa virus (LASV) spillover from rodent reservoirs.
  • The primary host, Mastomys natalensis, is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, yet Lassa fever is geographically restricted, suggesting complex ecological and evolutionary factors.
  • Recent discoveries of novel LASV reservoirs highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding of rodent populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ecological and evolutionary factors influencing Lassa virus (LASV) distribution and transmission.
  • To identify key characteristics of rodent reservoirs, including habitat, reproduction, movement, and spatial preferences, crucial for Lassa fever prevention.
  • To synthesize current knowledge on mammarenavirus distribution in African rodents.

More Related Videos

Modeling The Lifecycle Of Ebola Virus Under Biosafety Level 2 Conditions With Virus-like Particles Containing Tetracistronic Minigenomes
10:11

Modeling The Lifecycle Of Ebola Virus Under Biosafety Level 2 Conditions With Virus-like Particles Containing Tetracistronic Minigenomes

Published on: September 27, 2014

36.7K
Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
06:02

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors

Published on: September 13, 2018

7.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 18, 2025

Standard Operating Procedure for Lyssavirus Surveillance of the Bat Population in Taiwan
07:55

Standard Operating Procedure for Lyssavirus Surveillance of the Bat Population in Taiwan

Published on: August 27, 2019

7.7K
Modeling The Lifecycle Of Ebola Virus Under Biosafety Level 2 Conditions With Virus-like Particles Containing Tetracistronic Minigenomes
10:11

Modeling The Lifecycle Of Ebola Virus Under Biosafety Level 2 Conditions With Virus-like Particles Containing Tetracistronic Minigenomes

Published on: September 27, 2014

36.7K
Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
06:02

Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors

Published on: September 13, 2018

7.1K

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Lassa virus reservoirs and epidemiology.
  • Analysis of rodent ecology data, including habitat use, reproductive strategies, and population dynamics.
  • Examination of evolutionary insights into mammarenavirus-rodent associations across Africa.

Main Results:

  • Lassa fever's geographic restriction to West Africa, despite the broad distribution of Mastomys natalensis, indicates specific ecological or host-related factors at play.
  • Understanding rodent behavior, such as habitat preference and movement patterns, is critical for predicting and preventing LASV spillover events.
  • New LASV reservoirs have been identified, expanding our knowledge of potential transmission pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted surveillance and preventative measures require detailed knowledge of rodent reservoir ecology and behavior.
  • Evolutionary studies of mammarenaviruses provide valuable context for understanding current LASV distribution and potential future spread.
  • Further research into rodent-host-virus interactions is essential for effective Lassa fever control strategies.