Assessing the Potential of Sexual Transmission of Lassa Virus in a Natural Rodent Reservoir
Lassa virus (LASV) is maintained in and transmitted by Mastomys natalensis across West Africa. To date, few studies have addressed transmission of LASV between rodents. Here, we experimentally assessed the potential for sexual transmission of LASV in Mastomys. Intravaginal challenge led to systemic infection in females within 7 days of inoculation and persisted throughout the study. Percutaneous injection of males similarly resulted in a systemic infection, with LASV documented in reproductive organs and sperm for 21-42 days. Our data support the potential of sexual transmission of LASV in rodents, and intravaginal infection is potentially conducive to intrauterine transmission of LASV.
Authors
- Kathy L. Frost (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1083-8899)
- Stephanie A. Booth (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8108-5955)
- Jérémie Prévost (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5260-5154)
- Kimberly Azaransky
- Kyle Rosenke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8101-4348)
- David Safronetz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9024-728X)
- Heinz Feldmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9448-8227)
- Geoff Soule
- Kevin Tierney
- Nikesh Tailor
Institutions
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- Public Health Agency of Canada (CA)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (US)
- University of Manitoba (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- The Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Published
- 2025-06-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaf314
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.40
Funders
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases