Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV): Overview

• LCMV is a rodent-borne arenavirus primarily transmitted by wild mice.
• Human infection occurs via inhalation of contaminated aerosols or contact with infected fomites.
• 5–10% of adults in the U.S. are seropositive for LCMV.
• Congenital LCMV encephalitis is an underrecognized cause of fetal encephalitis.

Maternal Infection and Symptoms

• Primary maternal infection typically presents as a mild to moderate flu-like syndrome.
• Common symptoms include fever, myalgias, malaise, pneumonitis, and occasionally aseptic meningitis.
• Fetal infection occurs vertically during maternal infection, usually transplacentally, and less commonly during birth.

Fetal and Neonatal Impact

• Severe consequences include miscarriages, fetal demise, and postnatal mortality exceeding one-third of survivors.
• LCMV is highly neurotrophic during fetal development, specifically targeting neuroblasts in periventricular germinal matrices.
• Results in impaired neuroproliferation and disturbed neuronal migration.
• Inflammatory response leads to destructive changes, periventricular calcifications, and cyst formation.