Lassa Fever in Pregnancy: Report of 2 Cases Seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

O O Bello,K H Odubamowo,T A O Oluwasola,O R Akinajo

doi:10.1155/2016/9673683

Abstract

Lassa fever (LF), an acute viral haemorrhagic fever, is an endemic zoonotic viral infection in West Africa countries with up to 15% case fatality rate. Though a rodent-borne infection, it can also be transmitted from person to person during the care of sick relations or more commonly in health care settings as a nosocomial infection. Vertical transmission from mother to child has been documented. We report 2 cases of LF among pregnant women which were managed at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, between September and October 2014. Both patients were in their early 20s with only one surviving the disease. Both had supportive therapy but none had antiviral therapy. This report emphasized the importance of early presentation, high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and early commencement of supportive therapy in the management of patients suspected with LF especially in the era of other viral haemorrhagic infections.

Highlights

Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the virus family Arenaviridae
Viral haemorrhagic screening test was positive for Lassa virus and negative for Ebola but further management was hampered by nonavailability of space in the intensive care unit
In Ibadan, between September and November 2014, there were 80 suspected cases of viral haemorrhagic fever managed in our hospital, out of which 27 were positive for Lassa fever

Summary

Introduction

Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the virus family Arenaviridae. Viral haemorrhagic screening test was positive for Lassa virus and negative for Ebola but further management was hampered by nonavailability of space in the intensive care unit. She remained on supportive therapy till the third day when she had cardiopulmonary arrest with failed attempt at resuscitation. Viral screening was positive for Lassa virus but negative for Ebola virus She was nursed on the isolation ward and all her vital signs remained within normal limits except the temperature which was intermittently high but resolved after 2 days. They requested transferring their care to Lagos and have since been lost to follow-up

Case Presentation

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion