Emerging Microbes and Infections (Dec 2024)
Lassa virus in novel hosts: insights into the epidemiology of lassa virus infections in southern Nigeria
- Anise Nkenjop Happi,
- Olusola Akinola Ogunsanya,
- Akeemat Opeyemi Ayinla,
- Ayotunde Elijah Sijuwola,
- Femi Mudasiru Saibu,
- Kazeem Akano,
- Cecilia Nwofoke,
- Obineche Tobias Elias,
- Olivia Achonduh-Atijegbe,
- Richard Olumide Daodu,
- Oluwatobi Abel Adedokun,
- Abraham Adeyemo,
- Kehinde Ebenezer Ogundana,
- Omolola Zaheedat Lawal,
- Edyth Parker,
- Iguosadolo Nosamiefan,
- Johnson Okolie,
- Zahra F. Parker,
- Melanie D. McCauley,
- Leigh Anne Eller,
- Kara Lombardi,
- Abdulwasiu Bolaji Tiamiyu,
- Michael Iroezindu,
- Edward Akinwale,
- Thierry Lamare Fouapon Assedi Njatou,
- Tsedal Mebrahtu,
- Erica Broach,
- Anastasia Zuppe,
- Petra Prins,
- Jenny Lay,
- Mihret Amare,
- Kayvon Modjarrad,
- Natalie D. Collins,
- Sandhya Vasan,
- Cynthia Tucker,
- Sharon Daye,
- Christian Tientcha Happi
Affiliations
- Anise Nkenjop Happi
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Olusola Akinola Ogunsanya
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Akeemat Opeyemi Ayinla
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Ayotunde Elijah Sijuwola
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Femi Mudasiru Saibu
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Kazeem Akano
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Cecilia Nwofoke
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
- Obineche Tobias Elias
- University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
- Olivia Achonduh-Atijegbe
- Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
- Richard Olumide Daodu
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Oluwatobi Abel Adedokun
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Abraham Adeyemo
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Kehinde Ebenezer Ogundana
- Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
- Omolola Zaheedat Lawal
- Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun, Nigeria
- Edyth Parker
- Scripps Translational Science Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Iguosadolo Nosamiefan
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Johnson Okolie
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- Zahra F. Parker
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Melanie D. McCauley
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Leigh Anne Eller
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Kara Lombardi
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Abdulwasiu Bolaji Tiamiyu
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International Ltd/Gte, Abuja, Nigeria
- Michael Iroezindu
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International Ltd/Gte, Abuja, Nigeria
- Edward Akinwale
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International Ltd/Gte, Abuja, Nigeria
- Thierry Lamare Fouapon Assedi Njatou
- One Health Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Tsedal Mebrahtu
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Erica Broach
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Anastasia Zuppe
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Petra Prins
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Jenny Lay
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Mihret Amare
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Kayvon Modjarrad
- Emerging Infectious Diseases Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Natalie D. Collins
- Viral Diseases Program, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Sandhya Vasan
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Cynthia Tucker
- One Health Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Sharon Daye
- One Health Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Christian Tientcha Happi
- African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2023.2294859
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 13,
no. 1
Abstract
Identification of the diverse animal hosts responsible for spill-over events from animals to humans is crucial for comprehending the transmission patterns of emerging infectious diseases, which pose significant public health risks. To better characterize potential animal hosts of Lassa virus (LASV), we assessed domestic and non-domestic animals from 2021–2022 in four locations in southern Nigeria with reported cases of Lassa fever (LF). Birds, lizards, and domestic mammals (dogs, pigs, cattle and goats) were screened using RT-qPCR, and whole genome sequencing was performed for lineage identification on selected LASV positive samples. Animals were also screened for exposure to LASV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among these animals, lizards had the highest positivity rate by PCR. Genomic sequencing of samples in most infected animals showed sub-lineage 2 g of LASV. Seropositivity was highest among cattle and lowest in pigs. Though the specific impact these additional hosts may have in the broader virus-host context are still unknown – specifically relating to pathogen diversity, evolution, and transmission – the detection of LASV in non-rodent hosts living in proximity to confirmed human LF cases suggests their involvement during transmission as potential reservoirs. Additional epidemiological data comparing viral genomes from humans and animals, as well as those circulating within the environment will be critical in understanding LASV transmission dynamics and will ultimately guide the development of countermeasures for this zoonotic health threat.
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