Pulmonary involvement in Lassa fever: a scoping review

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Lassa fever (LF) affects all body systems, however, inadequate knowledge exists on the involvement of the pulmonary system in LF infections. This scoping review, therefore, aimed to describe the pulmonary involvement of LF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an extensive search of the literature on two databases, namely PubMed and Google Scholar. Overall, 5,217 articles were retrieved from a database search, out of which 107 duplicates were removed. Overall, 12 articles were included: four review articles, three case reports, three experimental inoculation studies, one retrospective study, and a prospective case-control study. RESULTS: Symptoms experienced included fever, pharyngitis, retrosternal pain, respiratory distress, and proteinuria. Complications included unique pulmonary arteritis, pulmonary embolization, mucosal bleeding, pleural or pericardial effusion, pulmonary edema, and interstitial pneumonitis. Consequences of the effect of Lassa virus infection were impairment of the immune system alongside continual replication of Lassa virus infection in affected tissues and death of affected individuals. LF has varied but serious effects on the pulmonary system. CONCLUSIONS: These symptoms, particularly in areas where LF is known to be endemic, should prompt clinicians to request LF polymerase chain reaction for confirmatory diagnosis. These features should promote the provision of respiratory support for patients in need of such.