Gefährdung des Menschen durch LCM-Virus-verseuchte Goldhamster

Abstract

Among 291 persons of all age groups from Cologne or Frankfurt and environs who had been in contact with golden hamsters there were 17 (5.8%) with neutralizing antibodies against lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), while such antibodies were present in only 5 (2%) of 251 persons without such contact, the difference between antibody rates representing a probability of error of 5% LCM-virus infections caused by golden hamsters occurred also in city dwellers, younger age groups and more females than has been previously the case, confirming an increased risk through contact with pet hamsters. Because of the danger of intra-uterine damage in case of infection, pregnant women had best avoid all contact with hamsters.

Etiology, Clinical Phenotypes, Epidemiological Correlates, Laboratory Biomarkers and Diagnostic Challenges of Pediatric Viral Meningitis: Descriptive Review

“…Although no cases of PVM due to HIV were identified, some hospital-based studies indicated that meningitis among HIV-positive children was observed to be associated with other bacterial (126) and fungal (127) organisms. The lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) was also suggested in some studies as a causative virus of PVM without concrete confirmatory evidences obtained up-to-date (64,65). Rabies virus was also known to induce VM as a complication of the infection but with much lower frequencies (53,128,129).…”

The potential role of Syrian hamsters and other small animals as reservoirs of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

“…In addition, the Sera of 734 girls in other schools and with no contact were negative (Blechschmidt et al, 1977). A survey in another district on persons of all ages detected a 5.8% incidence of a neutralising antibody response in 291 persons with a history of contact with hamsters and a 2% incidence in 251 with no contact (Ackermann, 1977).…”

“…There was no legislation under which these colonies could be destroyed (Forster & Wachendorfer, 1973). Internal hydrocephalus and eye defects at birth in two infants of mothers infected with LCM during pregnancy (Ackermann et al, 1974) and some highly significant data from Lithuania on the correlation of hydrocephalus and eye defects in infants under one year old with LCM antibody in the infants and in the mothers (Sheinbergas, 1976) led to a reiteration of earlier public health authority advice that pregnant women should avoid contact with hamsters (Ackermann, 1977).…”