Laboratory Diagnosis and Molecular Epidemiological Characterization of the First Imported Case of Lassa Fever in China.

Yu Liang FENG; Wei LI; Ming Feng JIANG; Hong Rong ZHONG; Wei WU; Lyu Bo TIAN; Guo CHEN; Zhen Hua CHEN; Can LUO; Rong Mei YUAN; Xing Yu ZHOU; Jian Dong LI; Xiao Rong YANG; Ming PAN

Return

Laboratory Diagnosis and Molecular Epidemiological Characterization of the First Imported Case of Lassa Fever in China.

Author: Yu Liang FENG ¹ ; Wei LI ¹ ; Ming Feng JIANG ¹ ; Hong Rong ZHONG ¹ ; Wei WU ² ; Lyu Bo TIAN ³ ; Guo CHEN ⁴ ; Zhen Hua CHEN ⁵ ; Can LUO ¹ ; Rong Mei YUAN ¹ ; Xing Yu ZHOU ¹ ; Jian Dong LI ² ; Xiao Rong YANG ¹ ; Ming PAN ¹
Author Information

1. Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
2. National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing 102206, China.
3. Sichuan International Travel Healthcare Center (Chengdu Customs Port Clinic), Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
4. Mianyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Mianyang 621050, Sichuan, China.
5. Chengdu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Epidemiological characterization; Laboratory diagnosis; Lassa fever; The first imported case
MeSH: Humans; China/epidemiology*; Genome, Viral; Lassa Fever/virology*; Lassa virus/classification*; Molecular Epidemiology; Phylogeny
From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):279-289
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:This study reports the first imported case of Lassa fever (LF) in China. Laboratory detection and molecular epidemiological analysis of the Lassa virus (LASV) from this case offer valuable insights for the prevention and control of LF.
METHODS:Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood, urine, saliva, and environmental materials were collected from the patient and their close contacts for LASV nucleotide detection. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on positive samples to analyze the genetic characteristics of the virus.
RESULTS:LASV was detected in the patient's CSF, blood, and urine, while all samples from close contacts and the environment tested negative. The virus belongs to the lineage IV strain and shares the highest homology with strains from Sierra Leone. The variability in the glycoprotein complex (GPC) among different strains ranged from 3.9% to 15.1%, higher than previously reported for the seven known lineages. Amino acid mutation analysis revealed multiple mutations within the GPC immunogenic epitopes, increasing strain diversity and potentially impacting immune response.
CONCLUSION:The case was confirmed through nucleotide detection, with no evidence of secondary transmission or viral spread. The LASV strain identified belongs to lineage IV, with broader GPC variability than previously reported. Mutations in the immune-related sites of GPC may affect immune responses, necessitating heightened vigilance regarding the virus.