The Lujo virus ( scientifically Lujo mammarenavirus , LUJV ) is a representative of the Arenaviridae and belongs to the RNA viruses . Its name comes from the first letters of the cities of Lusaka and Johannesburg , where it was first found. The virus was described in 2009 in connection with a hemorrhagic fever outbreak . So far, the virus has only been detected in Zambia and South Africa .
The sequencing of the genome has shown that the virus away with the Lassa virus is related. Both belong within the virus genus Mammarenavirus of the Arenaviridae to the group of old world arenaviruses (LCMV / Lassa complex) and were each classified as a separate species ( ICTV as of November 2018).
Course of Lujo virus infection in humans
The virus causes a hemorrhagic fever. So far, five cases have been reported in which the Lujo virus could be detected. In four cases the infection was fatal, in the fifth case, possibly due to the administration of medication, the course was milder and the patient fully recovered. It is likely to be transmitted from person to person via body fluids. Rodents are considered to be the natural reservoir for the viruses .
↑ T. Briese, et al. : Genetic Detection and Characterization of Lujo Virus, a New Hemorrhagic Fever – Associated Arenavirus from Southern Africa . In: PLoS Pathogens . 4, No. 5, 2009, p. E1000455. doi : 10.1371 / journal.ppat.1000455 .
