Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: An under-recognized congenital teratogen

Scientific paper - Case study

• Author: Thomas Ferenc
• Author: Mateja Vujica
• Author: Anna Mrzljak
• Author: Tatjana Vilibić-Čavlek
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Internal Medicine)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Internal Medicine
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Medical Microbiology

Abstract (english)

Background: Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a neglected rodent-borne arenavirus associated with transplacental transmission and fetal infection.
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Aim: To summarize the epidemiological, clinical, and diagnostic features of reported patients with congenital LCMV infection.
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Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. The keywords used were 'congenital lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus,' and 48 studies were included. In addition, we conducted a relevant search by Reference Citation Analysis (RCA) (https://www.referencecitationanalysis.com).
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Results: The results have shown 27 reports of congenital LCMV infection in 86 patients, with 52.73% of them being males. Patients presented with chorioretinitis (83.53%), hydrocephalus (54.12%), and psychomotor retardation or developmental delay (54.12%). Computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging most often demonstrated ventriculomegaly (74.07%), periventricular calcifications (66.67%), and microcephaly (40%). Most mothers of congenitally infected infants were exposed to rodents during pregnancy, predominantly mice, with flu-like symptoms mainly occurring during the first two trimesters of gestation. Mortality in congenitally infected children was 16.47%. The diagnosis of congenital LCMV infection was confirmed serologically in most patients (86.67%).
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Conclusion: LCMV is still an insufficiently recognized fetal teratogen that often leads to long-term neurologic sequelae. Clinicians need to be familiar with LCMV and its potential teratogenic effect and as well as to effectively differentiate LCMV from other TORCH (T: Toxoplasma gondii, O: Other pathogens, R: Rubella virus, C: Cytomegalovirus, H: Herpes simplex virus) pathogens.

• Keywords (english): Congenital infection; Epidemiology; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; Pregnancy; TORCH
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Case study
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: World Journal of Clinical Cases
• Numbering: vol. 10, no. 25, pp. 8922-8931
• p-ISSN: 2307-8960
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12998/wjcc.v10.i25.8922
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:512708
• Publication: 2022
• Document URL: https://www.wjgnet.com/2307-8960/full/v10/i25/8922.htm
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-02-10 10:17:40