Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is an arenavirus that is transmitted by exposure to infected rodents (including house and laboratory mice and pet hamsters). Infants with congenital LCMV infection present with CNS abnormalities, including hydrocephaly, microcephaly, intracranial calcifications, and cognitive impairment. Chorioretinal scars, which may involve the entire macula, may occur without neurologic abnormalities. The appearance of these scars is similar to that of scars seen in patients with toxoplasmosis, CMV infection, and Aicardi syndrome. The diagnosis of LCMV infection should be considered in infants with chorioretinal scars when results of tests for these more common etiologies are negative. Elevated LCMV antibody titers establish the diagnosis. No specific treatment is available apart from exposure prevention.

Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.