Mastomys natalensis

It is a viral hemorrhagic fever normally found in west Africa. The natural reservoir is the multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis) and the virus is shed in their urine. Infection occurs after inhalation of dust contaminated with excreta from infected rats or from aerosol of animal blood or fluids. Does not produce disease in animals. This is a biosafety level 4 agent. 

Holmes E, Bonner F, Nicholson JK. Comparative studies on the nephrotoxicity of 2-bromoethanamine hydrobromide in the Fischer 344 rat and the multimammate desert mouse (Mastomys natalensis). Arch Toxicol 1995 70 89-95. 

In West Africa, the arenavirus, Lassa Virus, causes Lassa Fever, responsible for 10-15% of adult febrile hospital admissions and up to 40% of nonsurgical deaths (48). The CDC estimates that Lassa virus infects 100,000-300,000 people annually, with approximately 5,000 deaths (50). Lassa causes pediatric disease as well as high mortality in pregnant women. Although nosocomial infections occur, most cases result from contact with the rodent species Mastomys natalensis (48). 

Holmes, E. Bonner, F.W. Nicholson, J.K. Comparative Studies on the Nephrotoxicity of 2-bromoethanamine in the Fischer 344 and Multimammate Desert Rats (Mastomys natalensis) Arch. Toxicol. 70, 89-95 (1995). 

A novel rodent model available for study of the ECL cell and particularly its neoplastic transformation is the Mastomys natalensis. This is a sub-Saharan rodent that was initially used in the study of African plague vectors. During these studies, it was noted that a substantial percentage of the animals died of a gastric neoplasm. Initially, this lesion was identified as a gastric adenocarcinoma. It subsequently became apparent that the cell type was more compatible with a carcinoid lesion. Further investigation identified this neoplasm as a histamine-producing ECL cell tumor (ECLoma). 

Mastomys) natalensis by base analogues, viruses, and carcinogens. Chromosoma 23, 162-179 (1967). 

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