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Viruses of lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Lassa, Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
The virus of lymphocytic choriomeningitis causes a disease in the form of an influenza-like syndrome or severe forms with the development of serous meningitis or meningoencephalitis with leuko- and thrombo-ischemia. Viruses spread with the secretions of domestic mice or from captive Syrian hamsters, polluting food, water and air. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is noted in Europe and America, often occurring in the winter-spring period.
Lassa virus
Lassa virus causes hemorrhagic fever of Lassa, accompanied by intoxication, fever, CNS damage and hemorrhagic eruptions. Patients experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal and chest pain, coughing, rashes on the skin of the face, trunk, limbs; hemoptysis and intestinal hemorrhage are noted. The first outbreak was detected in 1969 in Laos (Nigeria), which is why the disease got its name. Fever Lassa - has a natural focal character. The virus will be transmitted from the domestic tadpoles (Mastomys nataiensis) or from person to person. The disease is noted in the countries of West and Central Africa (in Upper Volta, Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Zaire, etc.). Infection of a person in natural foci occurs by a respiratory mechanism or by a contact-household route and parenterally. The incubation period averages 7-10 days. The disease is characterized by high lethality (20-47% in untreated patients).
Viruses Junin and Machupo
The viruses Junin and Machupo cause American hemorrhagic fevers. The reservoir of these viruses is rodents. The Junin virus is the causative agent of the Argentine hemorrhagic fever, and the Machupo virus is the causative agent of the Bolivian hemorrhagic fever.
Guanito Virus
Guanarito virus (Guanarito) causes Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever, accompanied by toxicosis, influenza-like phenomena, diarrhea. The reservoir of the virus is cotton rats and other wild rodents.
The Sabia virus
The Sabia virus was isolated in 1993 in Brazil. It causes the Brazilian hemorrhagic fever. Perhaps the reservoir of infection is rodents.
Microbiological diagnostics
Viruses are isolated from the blood, separated pharynx, pleural, cerebrospinal fluid, urine: infect cells or mice suckers, hamsters. Identification of viruses is carried out with the help of DSC, PH, RIF, ELISA and PCR. Antibodies in serum are detected in the DSC, ELISA, indirect RIF.