Lassa fever in Benin: description of the 2014 and 2016 epidemics and genetic characterization of a new Lassa virus. Issue 1 (1st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yadouleton, Anges; Picard, Caroline; Rieger, Toni; Loko, Frederic; Cadar, Daniel; Kouthon, Emile Cossi; Job, Emmanuel Obolli; Bankolé, Honoré; Oestereich, Lisa; Gbaguidi, Fernand; Pahlman, Meike; Becker-Ziaja, Beate; Journeaux, Alexandra; Pannetier, Delphine; Mély, Stéphane; Mundweiler, Stéphanie; Thomas, Damien; Kohossi, Leon; Saizonou, Raoul; Kakaï, Clement Glele; Da Silva, Magloire; Kossoubedie, Sonia; Kakonku, André Lukusa; M'Pelé, Pierre; Gunther, Stephan; Baize, Sylvain; Fichet-Calvet, Elisabeth
• Is Part Of: Emerging microbes & infections. Volume 9:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 1761
• Page End: 1770
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01
• Subjects: Lassa fever -- Lassa virus -- genome -- Benin -- outbreak -- phylogeny -- new lineage -- serology; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1796528
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2222-1751

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We report two outbreaks of Lassa fever that occurred in Benin in 2014 and 2016 with 20 confirmed cases and 50% (10/20) mortality. Benin was not previously considered to be an endemic country for Lassa fever, resulting in a delay to diagnose the disease and its human transmission. Molecular investigations showed the viral genomes to be similar to that of the Togo strain, which is genetically very different from other known strains and confirms the existence of a new lineage. Endemic circulation of Lassa virus in a new territory and the genetic diversity thus confirm that this virus represents a growing threat for West African people. Given the divergence of the Benin strain from the prototypic Josiah Sierra Leone strain frequently used to generate vaccine candidates, the efficacy of vaccine candidates should also be demonstrated with this strain.