CVD and Collaborators Launch Study to Better Understand Immune Responses to Lassa Fever

The University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD), has announced the launch of a research study to understand how Lassa fever survivors fight and overcome Lassa virus infection. The study, titled “Identification and Immunologic Characterization of Adult Lassa Fever Survivors in Nigeria”, is a collaboration between CVD, The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) in Bauchi State.

Lassa fever remains one of the most significant and persistent public health threats in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa where it is endemic. It is a zoonotic disease caused by the Lassa virus, an Old World arenavirus whose primary host is the rat referred to as Mastomys natalensis.  Transmission to humans occurs primarily through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or feces. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported a case fatality rate of 25.1% in the year 2026 with outbreaks across 21 of Nigeria’s 37 states and 85% of cases concentrated in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states. There is currently no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever although there are several efforts including that by CEPI to find an effective vaccine against Lassa.

Despite being endemic in West Africa for several decades with high case fatality rates, critical gaps remain in our understanding of how natural infection confers immunity in those that survive, and how vaccine development can benefit from such knowledge. This 12-month collaborative study will seek to generate deeper insight into natural immunity following infection. The data generated will serve as a critical reference point for ongoing and future Lassa fever vaccine trials.

This study will also work with communities to minimize known risk factors and establish a repository of clinical data and biological samples — a valuable long-term scientific resource for the research community. This work will leverage ATBUTH’s and IHVN's existing world-class laboratory infrastructure, including its ISO 15189:2022 accredited laboratory in Jos, Plateau State (PLAVIREC), and the Institute's regional biorepository facility (I-HAB) located on the IHVN campus in Abuja.

The Lassa fever survivors study is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under contract HHSN272201700082C with Thomas Jefferson University through a research collaboration with the CVD and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

Why This Study Matters

Speaking at the launch, Professor Alash’le Abimiku, the Nigerian principal investigator and executive director of IHVN-IRCE stated, "This study represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to better work with communities to reduce behaviors and exposures that increase the risk of Lassa virus infection. By studying Lassa fever survivors in Nigeria, we are generating locally grounded evidence that will directly inform vaccine development and ultimately save lives." The research reflects IHVN's enduring commitment to advancing health through science, strengthening in-country research capacity, and ensuring that African populations are active participants in and beneficiaries of the knowledge generated through research.

Dr. Suleiman Yusuf, the lead collaborator at ATBUTH commented, “Bauchi state has increasingly experienced cases of Lassa fever and has the clinical and laboratory infrastructure to contribute to knowledge that will lead to prevention and treatment of Lassa Fever. In addition, my institution has a long-term relationship with communities to ensure that knowledge on how to prevent Lassa fever transmission is sustained in each community and that health workers recognize clinical symptoms of Lassa for prompt intervention.”

“We are excited to collaborate with colleagues in Nigeria and contribute to global efforts to develop effective vaccines against Lassa fever” says Justin Ortiz, MD, MS, Professor of Medicine and a co-investigator of the study.

“Studying the natural immune responses of Lassa fever survivors may help identify immune pathways and markers associated with recovery and protection following infection. These findings can provide important scientific context for ongoing efforts to design and evaluate future Lassa fever vaccines” says Matthias J. Schnell, PhD, director of the Jefferson Center for Vaccines and Pandemic Preparedness at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Schnell is the principal investigator of the parent NIH contract and the inventor of a Lassa fever vaccine candidate.

About the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria

Originally established in 2004 as an affiliate of the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Baltimore (IHV-UMB), the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria has grown into a fully-fledged indigenous NGO with its own Board of Directors. It has two key centers: Center for Public Health Implementation and the International Research Center of Excellence with nearly 500 faculty and staff members. The Center for Public Health Implementation, through collaborations with tertiary and secondary hospitals, supports over 450,000 people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy and provides TB treatment services for an additional 50,000 individuals. With the advent of COVID-19, IHVN also supports COVID-19 related services at those health facilities and molecular laboratories. The International Research Center of Excellence supports research activities in HIV, TB, malaria, cancer, non-communicable diseases, Lassa fever, and COVID-19 and other emerging and re-emerging pathogens, all supported by state-of-the-art molecular and immunology laboratories and an ISBER-compliant biorepository. IHVN is largely funded by the Global Fund, NIH, CDC, and EDCTP and supports multi-country clinical trials.

About the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health

Founded in 1974, the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health is internationally recognized for its research in vaccine development, infectious disease, and clinical trials that have paved the way for lifesaving interventions around the world. The CVD’s mission is to reduce the global burden of infectious diseases through research, training, and public health impact.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

The University of Maryland School of Medicine, established in 1807 as the first public medical school in the U.S., continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world. The School has nearly $500 million total research funding, 46 departments, centers, and institutes, more than 2,200 student trainees and over 3,000 faculty members, including notable members of the National Academy of Medicine. As the largest public medical school in the DC/MD/VA region, faculty-physicians are working to help patients manage chronic diseases like obesity, cancer, heart disease and addiction, while also working on cutting-edge research to address the most critical generational health challenges. In 2024, the School ranked #12 among public medical schools and #27 among all medical schools for R&D expenditures by the National Science Foundation. With a $1.3 billion total operating budget, the School partners with the University of Maryland Medical Center to serve nearly 2 million patients annually. The School's global reach extends around the world with research and treatment facilities in 33 countries. In Maryland, the School of Medicine is spearheading new initiatives in AI and health computing and partnering with the University of Maryland BioPark to develop new medical technologies and bioengineering ventures. For more information, visit medschool.umaryland.edu.