Balance Dysfunction Induced by Lassa Virus Infection

Lassa virus (LASV) infection causes Lassa Fever (LF), a hemorrhagic fever endemic to West Africa. Up to 30% of LASV infection survivors develop sudden onset hearing loss after clearing the initial acute disease, and in some cases also develop dizziness and imbalance, similar to labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis or idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, all of which are diseases with unknown etiology seen worldwide. Viral infection is speculated to play a role. However, the responsible virus nor the molecular mechanism leading to dizziness is unknown. The aim of this project is to investigate how the vestibular processing is affected leading to dizziness or balance problems after a viral infection using the LF model mice. Our short-term goal for this proposal is 1) to characterize the vestibular behavioral and cellular changes in LF model mice, and 2) to determine the most effective treatment/prevention modality for the balance dysfunction in LF model mice. Our long-term goal is to use this general model to determine the mechanisms leading to balance dysfunction after a viral infection, and to develop effective prevention and treatment methods in humans.