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Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)


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Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)																									Related Pages
												Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or LCM, is a rodent-borne viral infectious disease caused by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a member of the family *Arenaviridae,* that was initially isolated in 1933.
The primary host of LCMV is the common house mouse, *Mus musculus*. Infection in house mouse populations may vary by geographic location, though it is estimated that 5% of house mice throughout the United States carry LCMV and are able to transmit virus for the duration of their lives without showing any sign of illness. Other types of rodents, such as hamsters, are not the natural reservoirs but can become infected with LCMV from wild mice at the breeder, in the pet store, or home environment. Humans are more likely to contract LCMV from house mice, but infections from pet rodents have also been reported.
LCMV infections have been reported in Europe, the Americas, Australia, and Japan, and may occur wherever infected rodent hosts of the virus are found. The disease has historically been underreported, often making it difficult to determine incidence rates or estimates of prevalence by geographic region. Several serologic studies conducted in urban areas have shown that the prevalence of LCMV antibodies in human populations range from 2% to 5%.
Additionally, pregnancy-related infection has been associated with congenital hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis, and mental retardation.TransmissionLCMV infections can occur after exposure from an infected rodent...Signs and SymptomsLCMV is most commonly recognized as causing neurological disease...Risk of ExposureIndividuals who come into contact with mice are potentially at risk for infection...DiagnosisLaboratory diagnosis is usually made by detecting IgM and IgG...TreatmentTreatment requires hospitalization and supportive therapy based on severity...PreventionLCMV infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with wild mice...ResourcesFactsheet: Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM) Cdc-pdf[PDF – 3 pages]
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								Page last reviewed:  May 6, 2014						Content source:  	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology (DHCPP), Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB) Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)
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