Evidence of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in domestic mice in Gabon: risk of emergence of LCMV encephalitis in Central Africa

Lien vers Pubmed [PMID] – 25378495

J. Virol. 2015 Jan;89(2):1456-60

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can cause acute fatal disease on all continents but was never detected in Africa. We report the first detection of LCMV RNA in a common European house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) in Africa. Phylogenetic analyses show a close relationship with North American strains. These findings suggest that there is a risk of the appearance of LCMV acute encephalitis cases. This is a perfect example of virus dissemination by its natural host that may have dramatic public health consequences.