Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is a viral meningitis. The natural reservoir is the common house mouse. The virus is transmitted to humans by the oral, respiratory, or percutaneous routes by food or dust contaminated with urine, saliva, or feces from infected animals.

CASES/YEAR
275 (US); 5,500 (Global)
CATEGORY
AGENT TYPE
Viruses
OTHER NAMES
LCM; Benign lymphocytic meningitis; Serous lymphocytic meningitis;
ACUITY
Acute-Severe
INCUBATION
Probably 8-13 days; [CCDM]
INITIAL SYMPTOMS
The illness begins with a flu-like illness with myalgia, headache, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia; Some patients have signs and symptoms of meningitis either initially or after the flu-like illness; [CCDM]
PRECAUTIONS
Standard; "Not transmitted from person to person." [CDC 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions]
COMMENTS
FINDINGS
Other symptoms seen in some cases are rash, arthritis, parotitis, orchitis, and myocarditis. Hemorrhagic cases have been reported among immunocompromised patients. The prognosis for full recovery is good even for severe cases, but convalescence with fatigue and vasomotor instability may be prolonged. [CCDM, p. 367] Occasionally, lymphadenopathy and a maculopapular rash accompany the initial fever. Orchitis, myocarditis, and arthritis are possible complications that usually resolve spontaneously within a few weeks. [PPID, p. 2181] After a flu-like illness in the first phase lasting 5 days to 3 weeks, patients improve. Some patients then relapse into fever, rash, headache, arthralgias, stiff neck, orchitis, parotitis, and hair loss. A minority of patients develop meningitis and usually recover without sequelae, but 1/3 of patients with encephalitis have persistent neurological symptoms. Encephalitis is a rare complication; it may be accompanied by paralysis, transverse myelitis, or acute Parkinson's syndrome. [Merck Manual, p. 1487] A large case series showed that 35% of patients were asymptomatic, 50% had a flu-like illness, and 15% had typical lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Sore throat and vomiting were common. Chest pain and pneumonitis occurred less frequently. [ID, p. 2136] Lab results in the early phase include leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevation of liver enzymes. [Guerrant, p. 457]

EPIDEMIOLOGY:
Infected pet hamsters and laboratory animals have caused outbreaks. The natural reservoir is the common house mouse. The virus is transmitted to humans by the oral, respiratory, or percutaneous routes by food or dust contaminated with urine, saliva, or feces from infected animals. [CCDM, p. 368-9] Can be transmitted by an animal bite; [ID, p. 1424] Infection occurs after inhalation of virus in mouse urine, feces, or saliva. [Cecil, 24th Ed, p. 1966t] In the USA, Argentina, and Germany, there is 5-10% antibody prevalence. [Harrison ID, p. 964]
DIAGNOSTIC
Viral culture or PCR of blood or CSF; IgM antibodies in serum or CSF; Paired sera; [CCDM]
SCOPE
Global
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
  • >arthralgia
  • >fatigue, weakness
  • >fever
  • >fever, biphasic or relapsing
  • >myalgia
  • E pharyngitis
  • G liver function test, abnormal
  • G nausea, vomiting
  • H leukopenia
  • H lymphadenopathy
  • H thrombocytopenia
  • N headache
  • N lethargy
  • N stiff neck
  • R chest pain
  • R cough
  • S papules or plaques
  • S rash (exanthem)
  • *arthritis
  • *bleeding tendency
  • *cranial neuropathy
  • *encephalitis
  • *epididymo-orchitis
  • *meningitis
  • *myelitis
  • *myocarditis
  • *paralysis
  • *parotitis
  • *pericarditis
  • *pneumonitis
  • *stupor, coma
ANTIMICROBIC

No

VACCINE

No

ENTRY
Inhalation, Ingestion, Skin or Mucous Membranes (Includes Conjunctiva), Animal Bite
SOURCE
Fecally Contaminated Soil, Animal Excreta, Soil or Dust (Ingesting or Inhaling), Eating Contaminated Food
RESERVOIR
Rodents
RISK FACTORS
  • Handle infected laboratory rats or mice
  • Handle infected rodents (not bite)
  • Ingest infectious agents in food/water
  • Raise dust of excreta from rodents
  • Work in a medical or research lab
TREATMENT
No specific antimicrobial therapy; [CCDM]
REFERENCES FOR CASES/YEAR
1. (US) 1/20 X global cases/yr;
2. (Global) Extent of disease worldwide is unknown; Reports of this disease have declined; Most cases identified in laboratory surveillance or occasional outbreaks; Annual incidence estimated to be 1000 to 10,000 cases; Case fatality rate is <1%; [ID, p. 2133-4] Human infections worldwide, but documented only in Europe and the Americas; [PPID, p. 2179] Assumption: 5500 cases worldwide;