Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV)belongs to the family of the arenaviruses, which are associated with rodent-transmitted disease in humans and are zootonic. Humans can come into contact with arenaviruses by ingesting contaminated food and having direct contact with rodent excrement. Such arenavirus infections can cause severe illnesses and are more common in humans.The rodent hosts of arenaviruses have been known to be chronically infected with viruses, which do not show obvious symptoms inside the hosts. Some arenaviruses are also associated with nosocomial transmission and secondary person to person. Nosocomial transmission occurs when a person is exposed and then infected with the arenavirus from the rodent host. Once the person is infected the virus, he or she can spread it to other humans. However, person to person transmission is associated with having direct contact with one another's blood and other excretions that contain virus particles of infected individuals.
Since LCMV belongs to the family of the arenavirus, it has been discovered in the common house mouse (MUS musculus and M. domesticus), pets, and research rodents, such as hamsters and guinea pigs. LCMV is transmitted through inhalation, fomites, and direct contact with blood from infected rodents. Such a virus has also been transmitted by infected mothers during pregnancy to the fetus and through solid organ transplantation. The incubation period for LCMV is from one to two weeks and infected individual usually experience symptoms, such as fever chills, myalgia, pharyngitis, testicular pain, and photophobia.
In the article, "Lymphorcytic Choriomeningitis Virus Meningitis, New York, NY, USA, 2009," it mentioned about how a forty-nine year old man (taxi driver) received treatment for LCMV. The patient also had all the symptoms for the virus, such as chills, headache, vomiting, generalized weakness, nausea, and a seven day history of fever. The article also stated that he received a corneal transplant the previous year that may have caused LCMV. After the patient received supportive care, he fully recovered and was discharged on day twelve.
Although the patient received a corneal transplant the previous year, it was not actually the source of infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that the patient experienced meningitis during the fall-winter season. Then,a febrile illness followed by brief remission before an onset of neurological illness, and CSF with a hypoglycorrachia and lymphocytosis. After the case, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention implemented new rules and regulations for diagnosing LCMV. Within the preceding three months, patients with a history of organ transplantation should be evaluated to determine whether infected organs were the primary souce of LCMV. Patients with LCMV should also be questioned about potential rodent exposure. By having a better understanding of the true incidence of LCMV, authorities will be able to prevent and control the virus.
Asnis, Deborah, "Lymphorcytic Choriomeningitis Virus Meningitis" Center for Disease Control and Prevention, February 2010, http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/16/2/328.htm.
"Arenaviruses," Special Pathogens Branch, August 2005, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/arena.htm.
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