title: [Meningitis after a mouse bite].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Infection with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is a human zoonosis caused by a rodent-borne arenavirus and is often seen in autumn and winter when mice retreat into houses. Infection in humans is acquired after inhalation of aerosols or direct contact with excreta of an infected rodent.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 37-year-old woman was referred to St. Elisabeth hospital in Tilburg, Netherlands, complaining of severe progressive headache, nausea and vomiting. Three weeks before presentation a mouse had bitten her finger. On neurological examination there were no abnormalities. Cerebrospinal fluid investigations indicated viral meningitis. Immunofluorescence serological testing confirmed the diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infection by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus after contact with rodents can cause viral meningitis. The acquired form of the disease is known to be self-limiting in immunocompetent patients.
authors.affiliation: St. Elisabeth Ziekenhuis, Tilburg.
authors.forename: Els M L
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Verhaegh
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Moudrous
authors.forename: Anton G M
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Buiting
authors.forename: Annemiek A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: van der Eijk
authors.forename: Cees C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tijssen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D051379:Mice; D009426:Netherlands; D012698:Serologic Tests; D015047:Zoonoses