Post-acute sequelae after Lassa fever: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Recurrent Lassa fever outbreaks present a significant public health challenge in West Africa.
• Post-acute sequelae (PAS) following Lassa virus infection are not well understood.
• Understanding PAS is crucial for assessing the full disease burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the prevalence, incidence, duration, and characteristics of PAS in Lassa fever survivors.
• To identify common post-acute sequelae and their association with Lassa fever.
• To highlight data gaps in the understanding of Lassa fever sequelae.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of PubMed and Web of Science.
• Inclusion of six studies reporting on post-acute sequelae in Lassa fever survivors.
• Data extraction and pooled prevalence calculation for identified sequelae.

Main Results:

• Hearing loss was the most frequently reported sequela, with a pooled prevalence of 18%.
• A significant positive association between Lassa fever and hearing loss was found in some studies.
• Other audiovestibular symptoms like tinnitus, balance disorder, and vertigo were also prevalent.

Conclusions:

• Lassa fever survivors experience a range of symptoms post-infection, with hearing loss being the most characterized.
• Significant data gaps exist regarding the incidence of PAS after mild infections and their duration.
• Improved understanding of Lassa fever sequelae is essential for accurate disease burden estimation and modeling.