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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 18.10.2021
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (acute serous meningitis of Armstrong) is a zoonotic viral infectious disease characterized by a predominant lesion of the cerebral membranes and vascular plexuses of the central nervous system.
ICD-10 code
A87.2. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
Epidemiology of lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is recorded everywhere, more often in rural areas. The source of the pathogen is rodents, mainly the house mouse, which secrete the virus with urine, faeces, nasal secretions. Transmission ways: alimentary, aqueous, contact-household, air-dust, vertical. The susceptibility is low. The disease often occurs as an acute respiratory disease and is not recorded.
What causes lymphocytic choriomeningitis?
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is caused by the virus of lymphocytic choriomeningitis of the genus Arenavirus of the Arenaviridae family . The genome of the virus is represented by single-stranded RNA.
Pathogenesis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis
In the central nervous system the virus penetrates hematogenously, causing damage to the membranes, vascular plexuses and ependyma of the ventricles of the brain. The virus is capable of long persistence in the central nervous system.
Symptoms of lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Distinguish between acute, slow and congenital forms of the disease. The slow form develops after the acute phase of the disease, for it the symptoms of lymphocytic choriomeningitis are typical : increasing weakness, fatigue, headaches, ataxia, mental disorders, lesion of cranial nerves, paresis and paralysis. The course of the disease is progressive. The outcome is lethal in a period of up to 10 years.
Diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis is based on the detection of high titers of antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid using the RIF and DSC.
[9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17]
Differential diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis
In the acute phase, differential diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis is carried out with other viral and tuberculous meningitis; in chronic - with other slow infections of the central nervous system, chronic arachnoiditis.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
What tests are needed?
Treatment of lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Hospitalization according to clinical indications. Effective treatment of lymphocytic choriomeningitis has not been developed. Examination is not regulated. Patients are under the supervision of a neurologist.
How to prevent lymphocytic choriomeningitis?
To prevent lymphocytic choriomeningitis, it is possible, if we carry out deratization, protection of water and food sources from rodents.