Transmission of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus by Organ Transplantation

Abstract

We document two clusters of LCMV infection transmitted through organ transplantation.

Platelets prevent IFN-α/β-induced lethal hemorrhage promoting CTL-dependent clearance of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

“…In a few reported severe cases, infection by LCMV has been similar to that by Junin (a human arenavirus responsible for Argentine hemorrhagic fever), in which disease severity and poor prognosis have been linked to marked thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction, sustained viremia, mucocutaneous hemorrhage, and impaired cellular immunity (2,3). Similar symptoms characterized the fatal outcome of LCMV transmission by organ transplantation (4).…”

Diseases of the central nervous system caused by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and other arenaviruses

“…There was, however, a serious systemic disease resembling that caused by another arenavirus, LF virus. Four transplant donors who were apparently infected with LCMV at the time of organ harvest have transmitted an often fatal LCMV infection to the organ recipients (Fischer et al, 2006;Anonymous, 2008;Palacios et al, 2008;Macneil et al, 2012). The 14 solid-organ recipients (but not cornea recipients) were all infected with LCMV and suffered a difficult Lassa-like clinical course, resulting in 11 deaths.…”

“…One of the three survivors was treated with ribavirin, and his immunosuppressive drugs were decreased. This may have contributed to his survival (Fischer et al, 2006). Recipients can be diagnosed with a combination of virus isolation, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and/or serology.…”

First evidence of Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus (Arenaviruses) infection in Mus musculus rodents captured in the urban area of the municipality of Sincelejo-Sucre, Colombia

“…Los análisis llevados a cabo en el estudio de un caso de encefalitis por LCMV en una zona periurbana de una ciudad en Argentina, mostraron que 10,3 % de las personas seropositivas para LCMV residían en la localidad donde se reportó el caso (19). El comportamiento doméstico y peridoméstico de varias especies de roedores reservorios es un factor que facilita la transmisión del virus a humanos (27). La infección con este virus es asintomática o cursa como una enfermedad leve y transitoria; sin embargo, se ha implicado en la meningitis aséptica (28) y en la transmisión de madre a hijo durante el embarazo, lo cual puede provocar la muerte del feto, secuelas neurológicas y coriorretinopatía (29).…”