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Volume 31, Number 12—December 2025

Research

Guinea Pig Model for Lassa Virus Infection of Reproductive Tract and Considerations for Sexual and Vertical Transmission

Josilene N. Seixas, Joy M. Gary1, Stephen R. Welch, Sarah C. Genzer, JoAnn D. Coleman-McCray, Jessica R. Harmon, Christina F. Spiropoulou, Luciana Silva-Flannery, Georgia Ficarra, Elizabeth Lee, Julu Bhatnagar, Jessica R. Spengler, and Jana M. RitterComments to Author 
Author affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Main Article

Figure 4

Detection of Lassa virus (LASV) antigens and RNA in reproductive tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) in strain 13/N female guinea pigs lethally infected with LASV strain Josiah in study of guinea pig model for LASV infection of reproductive tract and considerations for sexual and vertical transmission. IHC and ISH chromogens are red. A) Uterus (25 dpi), ISH. Staining in interstitial mesenchymal cells (asterisks) and rare endothelial cells (arrow). B) Uterus (23 dpi), ISH. Staining in vascular smooth muscle cells (arrows) and perivascular interstitial mesenchymal cells (asterisk). C) Ovary (23 dpi), ISH. Staining within a corpus luteum (asterisk), in theca-interstitial cells (arrows), and in inflammatory cells within and around a vascular wall (white arrow). D) Oviduct (23 dpi), ISH. Staining in mesenchymal interstitial cells (asterisk) and intravascular inflammatory cells (arrow). E) Uterus (23 dpi), ISH. Extensive staining in the endometrial stroma (asterisk) and myometrial smooth muscle cells (arrows). F) Uterus (23 dpi), ISH. Extensive staining in the endometrial glandular epithelial cells (arrows). G) Endocervix (23 dpi), IHC. Extensive staining in mesenchymal cells. H) Vagina (23 dpi), IHC. Staining in submucosal mesenchymal cells (asterisk) and intraluminal cellular debris (arrow). Original magnifications ×40 (panels A, B, D, G, H), ×30 (panel C), ×20 (panels E, F).

Figure 4. Detection of Lassa virus (LASV) antigens and RNA in reproductive tissues by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) in strain 13/N female guinea pigs lethally infected with LASV strain Josiah in study of guinea pig model for LASV infection of reproductive tract and considerations for sexual and vertical transmission. IHC and ISH chromogens are red. A) Uterus (25 dpi), ISH. Staining in interstitial mesenchymal cells (asterisks) and rare endothelial cells (arrow). B) Uterus (23 dpi), ISH. Staining in vascular smooth muscle cells (arrows) and perivascular interstitial mesenchymal cells (asterisk). C) Ovary (23 dpi), ISH. Staining within a corpus luteum (asterisk), in theca-interstitial cells (arrows), and in inflammatory cells within and around a vascular wall (white arrow). D) Oviduct (23 dpi), ISH. Staining in mesenchymal interstitial cells (asterisk) and intravascular inflammatory cells (arrow). E) Uterus (23 dpi), ISH. Extensive staining in the endometrial stroma (asterisk) and myometrial smooth muscle cells (arrows). F) Uterus (23 dpi), ISH. Extensive staining in the endometrial glandular epithelial cells (arrows). G) Endocervix (23 dpi), IHC. Extensive staining in mesenchymal cells. H) Vagina (23 dpi), IHC. Staining in submucosal mesenchymal cells (asterisk) and intraluminal cellular debris (arrow). Original magnifications ×40 (panels A, B, D, G, H), ×30 (panel C), ×20 (panels E, F).

Main Article

1Current affiliation: StageBio, Frederick, Maryland, USA.

Page created: November 25, 2025
Page updated: January 01, 2026
Page reviewed: January 01, 2026
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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