What is the shape of Lassa virus?
The Lassa virus particle is round, oval, or pleomorphic, 110 to 130 nm in diameter, and enveloped. Its genome consists of two single-stranded RNA segment – the large L segment and the small S segment.
What is the size of Lassa virus?
Lassa virus is spherical in shape and is a medium-sized agent that measures between 70 and 150 nm in diameter (Figure 1). It has been classified into the arenaviridae family. A typical mature Lassa virus particle possesses a glycoprotein envelope with T-shaped spikes measuring 7–10 nm on its surface.
Is Lassa RNA or DNA?
RNA virus
Lassa virus is a linear, bisegmented, single-stranded RNA virus, which belong to the Arenaviridae family that causes viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted by rats. The virus is endemic in West African countries, which may be due to its zoonotic nature.
Does Lassa virus have an envelope?
Lassa virus is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus. The two RNA segments in its genome encode four viral proteins, including zinc-binding protein (Z), RNA polymerase (L), nucleoprotein (NP), and the surface glycoprotein precursor (GP, or spike protein).
Where is Lassa virus found?
Lassa fever is an animal-borne, or zoonotic, acute viral illness. It is endemic in parts of West Africa including Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria. Neighboring countries are also at risk, as the animal vector for Lassa virus, the “multimammate rat” (Mastomys natalensis) is distributed throughout the region.
Is there a cure for Lassa?
Lassa fever causes an approximate 5000 to 10,000 deaths annually in West Africa and cases have been imported into Europe and the Americas, challenging public health. Although Lassa virus was first described over 5 decades ago in 1969, no treatments or vaccines have been approved to treat or prevent infection.
Is Lassa a filovirus?
Lassa fever is an often fatal arenavirus infection Overview of Arbovirus, Arenavirus, and Filovirus Infections Arbovirus (arthropod-borne virus) applies to any virus that is transmitted to humans and/or other vertebrates by certain species of blood-feeding arthropods, chiefly insects (flies and mosquitoes)… read more …
How long does it take to recover from Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is an illness caused by Lassa virus, a single-stranded RNA hemorrhagic fever virus from the family Arenaviridae. It is an acute febrile viral illness lasting one to four weeks, and it occurs in West Africa and some areas beyond.
Is there a cure for Lassa virus?
Although Lassa virus was first described over 5 decades ago in 1969, no treatments or vaccines have been approved to treat or prevent infection.
How can I cure Lassa fever?
Ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has been used with success in Lassa fever patients. It has been shown to be most effective when given early in the course of the illness.
Is there vaccine for Lassa fever?
Currently, there is no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever, although numerous candidates are in the development pipeline. These include DNA, RNA, live attenuated, and multiple different viral-vectored vaccine approaches24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32.
Is Lassa airborne?
Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever. There is no epidemiological evidence supporting airborne spread between humans.