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<p>The zoonotic Lassa virus (LASV), killing thousands of people annually, is maintained majorly by the multimammate mice <i>Mastomys natalensis</i> and <i>M. erythroleucus</i>; but other rodent reservoirs exist. Knowledge regarding LASV ecology remains limited in certain areas where Lassa fever continues to be incident and even recently emergent. Here, we assess community composition and LASV infection-status of small mammals in key localities across the Guinea savanna belt that spans the countries of Benin and Nigeria. Active LASV infection was determined by conventional (gel based)- and quantitative-PCR screening, while previous infection was determined by an immunofluorescent assay on IgG antibodies. Surprisingly, <i>M</i>. <i>natalensis</i> and <i>M. erythroleucus</i>, known to be sympatric across the Guinea savanna, co-occurred in only one locality and were PCR-negative for the virus; but showed IgG antibodies in localities endemic for Lassa fever within Nigeria. Viremia, alternately, was detected in <i>Mus</i> (<i>Nannomys</i>) <i>baoulei</i> and (a newly-discovered reservoir) <i>Lemniscomys striatus</i>, carrying relatively ancient LASV lineages, VIII &amp; IX respectively, within Benin. Our results suggest non-<i>Mastomys</i> rodents assume an increased role in LASV ecology within the Guinea savanna belt of Benin and Nigeria; especially in central Benin, which turns out to be a long-overlooked hotbed of early evolution, host-switching and contemporary emergence.</p>

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Non-Mastomys rodents harbour ancient Lassa virus lineages within Benin and Nigeria’s Guinea savanna belt

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月9日

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  • Ayodeji Olayemi,
  • Adetunji Samuel Adesina,
  • Akinlabi Oyeyiola,
  • Adeoba Obadare,
  • Umaru Bangura,
  • Nnennaya Anthony Ajayi,
  • Kingsley Ukwaja,
  • Liman Mohammed,
  • Adamu Ibrahim,
  • Toni Rieger,
  • Stephan Günther,
  • Anges Yadouleton,
  • Elisabeth Fichet-Calvet

摘要

The zoonotic Lassa virus (LASV), killing thousands of people annually, is maintained majorly by the multimammate mice Mastomys natalensis and M. erythroleucus; but other rodent reservoirs exist. Knowledge regarding LASV ecology remains limited in certain areas where Lassa fever continues to be incident and even recently emergent. Here, we assess community composition and LASV infection-status of small mammals in key localities across the Guinea savanna belt that spans the countries of Benin and Nigeria. Active LASV infection was determined by conventional (gel based)- and quantitative-PCR screening, while previous infection was determined by an immunofluorescent assay on IgG antibodies. Surprisingly, M. natalensis and M. erythroleucus, known to be sympatric across the Guinea savanna, co-occurred in only one locality and were PCR-negative for the virus; but showed IgG antibodies in localities endemic for Lassa fever within Nigeria. Viremia, alternately, was detected in Mus (Nannomys) baoulei and (a newly-discovered reservoir) Lemniscomys striatus, carrying relatively ancient LASV lineages, VIII & IX respectively, within Benin. Our results suggest non-Mastomys rodents assume an increased role in LASV ecology within the Guinea savanna belt of Benin and Nigeria; especially in central Benin, which turns out to be a long-overlooked hotbed of early evolution, host-switching and contemporary emergence.