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Assessing the Potential of Sexual Transmission of Lassa Virus in a Natural Rodent Reservoir
Jérémie Prévost1, Nikesh Tailor1, Geoff Soule1
1Special Pathogens Program, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Abstract:
Lassa virus (LASV) is maintained in and transmitted by Mastomys natalensis across West Africa. To date, few studies have addressed transmission of LASV between rodents. Here, we experimentally assessed the potential for sexual transmission of LASV in Mastomys. Intravaginal challenge led to systemic infection in females within 7 days of inoculation and persisted throughout the study. Percutaneous injection of males similarly resulted in a systemic infection, with LASV documented in reproductive organs and sperm for 21-42 days. Our data support the potential of sexual transmission of LASV in rodents, and intravaginal infection is potentially conducive to intrauterine transmission of LASV.
