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Science 19 July 1974:
Vol. 185. no. 4147, pp. 263 - 265
DOI: 10.1126/science.185.4147.263
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Articles

Lassa Virus Isolation from Mastomys natalensis Rodents during an Epidemic in Sierra Leone

Thomas P. Monath 1, Verne F. Newhouse 1, Graham E. Kemp 2, Henry W. Setzer 3, and Anthony Cacciapuoti 4

1 Vector-Borne Diseases Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control, Public Health Service, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521
2 Tropical Diseases Laboratory, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control, Public Health Service, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00936
3 Division of Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C. 20560
4 Virology Division, Bureau of Laboratories, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333

Lassa fever is a severe febrile illness of man, first recognized in West Africa in 1969. During an epidemic in Sierra Leone, Lassa virus was isolated for the first time from wild rodents of Mastomys natalensis. A high prevalence of infected Mastomys was found in houses occupied by patients with Lassa fever. The data presented provide the first demonstration of an extra-human cycle of Lassa virus transmission and suggest that rodent control may be an effective method of limiting the disease.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Mutational Evidence for a Structural Model of the Lassa Virus RNA Polymerase Domain and Identification of Two Residues, Gly1394 and Asp1395, That Are Critical for Transcription but Not Replication of the Genome.
M. Hass, M. Lelke, C. Busch, B. Becker-Ziaja, and S. Gunther (2008)
J. Virol. 82, 10207-10217
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Poor Housing Quality Increases Risk of Rodent Infestation and Lassa Fever in Refugee Camps of Sierra Leone.
P. C. Bonner, W.-P. Schmidt, S. R. Belmain, B. Oshin, D. Baglole, and M. Borchert (2007)
Am J Trop Med Hyg 77, 169-175
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Characterization of the Interaction of Lassa Fever Virus with Its Cellular Receptor {alpha}-Dystroglycan.
S. Kunz, J. M. Rojek, M. Perez, C. F. Spiropoulou, and M. B. A. Oldstone (2005)
J. Virol. 79, 5979-5987
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Replicon System for Lassa Virus.
M. Hass, U. Golnitz, S. Muller, B. Becker-Ziaja, and S. Gunther (2004)
J. Virol. 78, 13793-13803
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Effective Vaccine for Lassa Fever.
S. P. Fisher-Hoch, L. Hutwagner, B. Brown, and J. B. McCormick (2000)
J. Virol. 74, 6777-6783
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever: Initial Management of Suspected and Confirmed Cases.
(1984)
Ann Intern Med 101, 73-81
   Abstract »    PDF »
Lassa Fever.
R.T.D. Emond (1980)
Perspectives in Public Health 100, 48-52
Marburg/Ebola/Haemorrhagic Fevers.
D.I.H. Simpson (1980)
Perspectives in Public Health 100, 52-56


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