Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Generation of Recombinant Arenavirus for Vaccine Development in FDA-Approved Vero Cells
10:03

Generation of Recombinant Arenavirus for Vaccine Development in FDA-Approved Vero Cells

Published on: August 1, 2013

Pediatric Lassa fever: a review of 33 Liberian cases

M H Monson, A K Cole, J D Frame

    The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
    |March 1, 1987
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pediatric Lassa fever in Liberia resulted in high mortality, especially in fetal cases. A distinct "swollen baby syndrome" was identified, indicating a poor prognosis in children with Lassa fever.

    Area of Science:

    • Epidemiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Pediatrics

    Background:

    • Lassa fever is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa.
    • Understanding pediatric Lassa fever is crucial for public health interventions.

    Observation:

    • A study identified 33 pediatric Lassa fever cases in Liberia between 1980 and 1984.
    • Congenital Lassa fever and a
    • swollen baby syndrome
    • were observed.
    • The case-fatality rate for childhood Lassa fever was 27%.

    Findings:

    • Fetal Lassa fever cases had a 100% mortality rate.
    • The
    • swollen baby syndrome
    • characterized by edema, abdominal distention, and bleeding, was associated with high mortality (3/4 cases).
    • Absence of this syndrome indicated a better prognosis in children.

    Implications:

    • This research highlights the severe impact of Lassa fever on pediatric populations.
    • Early identification of clinical presentations like
    • swollen baby syndrome
    • can aid in prognosis and management.
    • Further research into Lassa fever's congenital and pediatric manifestations is warranted.

    More Related Videos

    Pan-lyssavirus Real Time RT-PCR for Rabies Diagnosis06:25

    Pan-lyssavirus Real Time RT-PCR for Rabies Diagnosis

    Published on: July 10, 2019

    Field Postmortem Rabies Rapid Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test for Resource-Limited Settings with Further Molecular Applications07:40

    Field Postmortem Rabies Rapid Immunochromatographic Diagnostic Test for Resource-Limited Settings with Further Molecular Applications

    Published on: June 29, 2020

    Related Concept Videos

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

    Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
    Viral Meningitis01:18

    Viral Meningitis

    Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
    Yellow Fever01:18

    Yellow Fever

    Yellow fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the yellow fever virus (YFV), a member of the Flaviviridae family. It is transmitted primarily by Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and South America. After transmission through a mosquito bite, the virus initially replicates in skin-resident immune cells such as dendritic cells and macrophages. These cells then migrate to the lymph nodes, where viral replication increases, eventually leading to...
    Leishmaniasis01:30

    Leishmaniasis

    Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...
    Malaria01:29

    Malaria

    Malaria pathogenesis in humans reflects a delicate interplay between parasite biology and host response. Clinical illness reflects a host’s immune response to the parasite’s asexual replication cycle, which is often asymptomatic in individuals with partial immunity. From the parasite's perspective, transmission between mosquito and human with minimal host pathology is evolutionarily advantageous. Among the six Plasmodium species infecting humans, P. falciparum and P. vivax dominate in global...
    Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

    Encephalitis l: Introduction

    Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...