What Is Microbiology - Lassa Fever

​Lassa Fever

Lassa fever may present with fever ( hemorrhagic fever ) and myalgia. Patient may present with neurological complications, hearing loss and spontaneous abortion in pregnant woman. 

Lassa fever is caused by Lassa fever virus. Lassa fever virus is an arenavirus family member. Lassa fever virus can be detected by serological analysis of lassa virus specific IgM and IgG.

Lassa fever is a form of viral zoonosis.The reservoir for the infection is the field rat rodent The form of transmission of lassa fever is via inhalation of aerosol droplets, due to direct contact with infected rodents excretion, secretion, blood or infected person excretion. 

Lassa virus will replicates in the regional lymph nodes after gain entry via the abrasion of the skin or inhalation. The macrophages will be infected by lassa virus and lead to the release of cytokines from infected macrophages. 

The common treatment of lassa fever may include ribavirin or convalescent serum form previously infected person who has recovered.