Presence of Lassa Virus RNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid Indicating Neuroinvasive Lassa Fever in Pediatric Patients From Edo State, Nigeria - Takeaways - MDSpire

Presence of Lassa Virus RNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid Indicating Neuroinvasive Lassa Fever in Pediatric Patients From Edo State, Nigeria

  • By

  • Hannah Caroline Sophie Müller

  • Cyril Oshomah Erameh

  • Joseph Okoeguale

  • Sheila Ojor Ileli

  • Imonifome Frank Onyeke

  • Adewale Elijah Adetunji

  • Lilian Omoyemen Akerele

  • Rita Esumeh

  • Ebo Benevolence Ohomoime

  • Mette Hinrichs

  • Jonas Müller

  • Ujiagbe Moses Aiterebhe

  • Christiana Ngozi Ekuma

  • Chukwuemeka Ogbuinya Ugadu

  • Ifeanyi Henry Onyerikam

  • Juliet Oemhenze Idialu-Eigbobo

  • Matthew Apeleokha

  • Ehisuan Ehiaghe

  • Osahogie Isaac Edeawe

  • Kelly Ohis Iraoyah

  • Chris Hoffmann

  • Donatus Adomeh

  • Thomas Olokor

  • Ikponmwosa Odia

  • Danny Asogun

  • Sylvanus Okogbenin

  • Ephraim Ogbaini-Emovon

  • Reuben Eifediyi

  • Stephan Günther

  • Meike Pahlmann

  • Michael Ramharter

  • Lisa Oestereich

  • Till Omansen

  • George Akpede

  • November 25, 2025

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Lassa virus RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid of 42 out of 49 confirmed Lassa fever pediatric patients, indicating neuroinvasive infection.

  • 2

    The study involved 153 pediatric patients with suspected or confirmed Lassa fever who underwent lumbar puncture for CNS symptoms.

  • 3

    Among CSF-positive patients, 79% had higher Lassa virus RNA concentrations in CSF than in plasma, suggesting active replication in the CNS.

  • 4

    Neurological complications from Lassa fever, such as seizures and altered mental state, are associated with high fatality rates.

  • 5

    Findings emphasize the need for improved clinical management and drug development for Lassa fever, particularly regarding CNS involvement.

Original Source(s)

Presence of Lassa Virus RNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid Indicating Neuroinvasive Lassa Fever in Pediatric Patients From Edo State, Nigeria

  • by Hannah Caroline Sophie Müller, Cyril Oshomah Erameh, Joseph Okoeguale, Sheila Ojor Ileli, Imonifome Frank Onyeke, Adewale Elijah Adetunji, Lilian Omoyemen Akerele, Rita Esumeh, Ebo Benevolence Ohomoime, Mette Hinrichs, Jonas Müller, Ujiagbe Moses Aiterebhe, Christiana Ngozi Ekuma, Chukwuemeka Ogbuinya Ugadu, Ifeanyi Henry Onyerikam, Juliet Oemhenze Idialu-Eigbobo, Matthew Apeleokha, Ehisuan Ehiaghe, Osahogie Isaac Edeawe, Kelly Ohis Iraoyah, Chris Hoffmann, Donatus Adomeh, Thomas Olokor, Ikponmwosa Odia, Danny Asogun, Sylvanus Okogbenin, Ephraim Ogbaini-Emovon, Reuben Eifediyi, Stephan Günther, Meike Pahlmann, Michael Ramharter, Lisa Oestereich, Till Omansen, George Akpede

  • November 25, 2025

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