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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Lassa, Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia viruses
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus causes a disease in the form of a flu-like syndrome or severe forms with the development of serous meningitis or meningoencephalitis with leuko- and thromboischemia. Viruses are spread by secretions of domestic mice or from captive Syrian hamsters that pollute food, water and air. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is observed in Europe and America, most often occurring in the winter-spring period.
Lassa virus
Lassa virus causes Lassa hemorrhagic fever, accompanied by intoxication, fever, CNS damage and hemorrhagic rashes. Patients experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal and chest pain, cough, rash on the skin of the face, trunk, limbs; hemoptysis and intestinal bleeding are noted. The first outbreak was detected in 1969 in Laos (Nigeria), which is why the disease got its name. Lassa fever is a natural focal disease. The virus is transmitted from domestic polymammate rats (Mastomys nataiensis) or from person to person. The disease is observed in the countries of West and Central Africa (Upper Volta, Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Zaire, etc.). Human infection in natural foci occurs through the respiratory mechanism or contact-household routes and parenterally. The incubation period is on average 7-10 days. The disease is characterized by high mortality (20-47% in untreated patients).
Junin and Machupo viruses
Junin and Machupo viruses cause American hemorrhagic fevers. The reservoir of these viruses are rodents. Junin virus is the causative agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever, and Machupo virus is the causative agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever.
Guanarito virus
Guanarito virus causes Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever, accompanied by toxicosis, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea. The reservoir of the virus is cotton rats and other wild rodents.
Sabia virus
Sabia virus was isolated in 1993 in Brazil. It causes Brazilian hemorrhagic fever. Rodents are probably the reservoir of infection.
Microbiological diagnostics
Viruses are isolated from blood, pharyngeal secretions, pleural, cerebrospinal fluid, urine: they infect cell cultures or suckling mice, hamsters. Viruses are identified using RSK, RN, RIF, ELISA and PCR. Antibodies in blood serum are detected using RSK, ELISA, indirect RIF.