Lymphocytic choriomeningitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (Acute serous meningitis of Armstrong) is a zoonotic viral infectious disease characterized by predominant damage to the meninges and choroid plexuses of the central nervous system.

ICD-10 code

A87.2. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis.

Epidemiology of lymphocytic choriomeningitis

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is registered everywhere, more often in rural areas. The source of the pathogen is rodents, mainly house mice, which excrete the virus with urine, feces, nasal secretions. Transmission routes: alimentary, water, contact-household, airborne dust, vertical. Susceptibility is low. The disease often occurs as an acute respiratory infection and is not registered.

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What causes lymphocytic choriomeningitis?

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is caused by the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus of the genus Arenavirus of the family Arenaviridae. The virus genome is single-stranded RNA.

Pathogenesis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis

The virus enters the CNS hematogenously, causing damage to the membranes, vascular plexuses and ependyma of the cerebral ventricles. The virus is capable of long-term persistence in the CNS.

Symptoms of lymphocytic choriomeningitis

There are acute, slow and congenital forms of the disease. The slow form develops after the acute phase of the disease, it is characterized by symptoms of lymphocytic choriomeningitis: increasing weakness, fatigue, headaches, ataxia, mental disorders, damage to the cranial nerves, paresis and paralysis of the extremities. The course of the disease is progressive. The outcome is fatal within 10 years.

Diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis

The diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis is based on the detection of high titers of antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid using the RIF and RSC methods.

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Differential diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis

In the acute phase, differential diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis is carried out with other viral and tuberculous meningitis; in the chronic phase - with other slow infections of the central nervous system, chronic arachnoiditis.

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Treatment of lymphocytic choriomeningitis

Hospitalization according to clinical indications. Effective treatment of lymphocytic choriomeningitis has not been developed. Dispensarization is not regulated. Patients are under the supervision of a neurologist.

How to prevent lymphocytic choriomeningitis?

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis can be prevented by carrying out deratization and protecting water sources and food products from rodents.