Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: emerging fetal teratogen.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a rodent-borne arenavirus, is an often undiagnosed human fetal teratogen. We describe a neonate born with hydrocephalus and chorioretinitis after maternal second-trimester symptomatic LCMV infection. Previously reported affected infants are reviewed. We strongly suggest that obstetricians counsel their pregnant patients regarding the potential hazard that contact with infected pet, laboratory, and household mice and hamsters poses to pregnant women and their unborn children.
Barton
Leslie L
LL
Department of Pediatrics and Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724, USA. llb@peds.arizona.edu
Mets
Marilyn B
MB
Beauchamp
Cynthia L
CL
D000818:Animals; D001117:Arenaviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000821:virology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000821:virology