infectious diseases
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Introduction
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is caused by an Overview of Arbovirus, Arenavirus, and Filovirus Infections . It usually causes a flu-like illness or aseptic meningitis, sometimes with rash, arthritis, orchitis, parotitis, or encephalitis. Diagnosis is by viral isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or indirect immunofluorescence. Treatment is supportive. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is endemic in rodents in many places around the world. Human infections are probably significantly underdiagnosed. Infection results most commonly from exposure to dust or food contaminated by the gray house mouse or hamsters, which harbor the virus and excrete it in urine, feces, semen, and nasal secretions. The percentage of infected house mice in a population may vary by geographic location; it is estimated that 5% of house mice throughout the United States carry lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and can transmit the virus throughout their life without showing any sign of illness (see Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis). When transmitted by mice, the disease occurs primarily in adults during autumn and winter. 