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Novel Tools for Lassa Virus Surveillance in Peri-domestic Rodents
Allison R Smither1,2, James Koninga3, Franklyn B Kanneh3
1Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Medrxiv : the Preprint Server for Health Sciences
|March 30, 2023
Summary
Lassa fever surveillance in Sierra Leone found 20% of rodents carried Lassa virus (LASV) antigen. Adapted diagnostics can help assess regional LASV burden and guide public health interventions against this rodent-borne disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary epidemiology
- Zoonotic disease surveillance
- Viral diagnostics
Background:
- Lassa fever (LF) is a significant rodent-borne disease in West Africa.
- Current prevention relies on rodent exclusion due to lack of vaccines or therapeutics.
- Zoonotic surveillance of Lassa virus (LASV) is crucial for understanding disease burden and informing public health strategies.
Approach:
- Adapted commercially available human Lassa virus (LASV) diagnostics for rodent testing.
- Conducted small mammal trapping in Kenema district, Sierra Leone (Nov 2018-July 2019).
- Utilized LASV NP antigen rapid diagnostic tests and adapted ELISA for IgG antibody detection in rodent species.
Key Points:
- 20% (74/373) of tested rodents were positive for LASV antigen.
- 11% (40/373) tested positive for LASV NP IgG, and 3% (12/373) for LASV GP IgG.
- Antigen and IgG presence were linked in Mastomys sp. (p < 0.01), but not Rattus sp. (p = 1).
Conclusions:
- Developed diagnostic tools can enhance Lassa fever (LF) surveillance.
- These tools facilitate rapid field assessment of Lassa virus (LASV) burden.
- Aids in guiding public health responses during outbreaks and for ongoing surveillance.
