Lassa mammarenavirus (LASV)

Lassa mammarenavirus (LASV) is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus in the Arenaviridae family and the causative agent of Lassa fever, a severe hemorrhagic disease endemic to West Africa (WHO, 2022). The virus is zoonotic, primarily transmitted to humans through contact with the excreta of the Mastomys natalensis rat. Its genome encodes four essential proteins: the nucleoprotein (NP), the glycoprotein complex (GPC), the Large (L) protein (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase), and the Z matrix protein (UniProt, 2024). These proteins facilitate viral attachment, entry via the host alpha-dystroglycan receptor, and replication within the cytoplasm. Current therapeutic intervention relies heavily on Ribavirin, which targets the viral polymerase, though its use is limited by toxicity and a narrow therapeutic window (CDC, 2023). Research is actively pursuing monoclonal antibodies targeting the GPC and novel small molecules targeting the L protein to improve outcomes in high-risk patients (Gowen et al., 2021). Due to its high pathogenicity and potential for aerosol transmission, LASV is classified as a Biosafety Level 4 agent.

Other names

Lassa virusLASVLassa fever virus

Inhibition of the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (L protein) to block genome replication and transcription, or neutralization of the glycoprotein complex (GPC) to prevent viral entry into host cells (CDC, 2023; UniProt, 2024).