Persistence, spillover, and evolution of co-occurring lineages of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

ABSTRACT: Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a neglected zoonotic arenavirus primarily transmitted by house mice (Mus musculus). In humans, LCMV infection can cause encephalitis, meningitis, or severe birth defects. In New World (NW) primates, LCMV causes acute and fatal callitrichid hepatitis (CH). We detected a continuous occurrence of LCMV lineages I and II in the house mouse population of a zoo, with the first occurrence of lineage II in 2014 and lineage I in 2021. Although the total LCMV RNA prevalence tended to increase between 2021 and 2023, this was primarily associated with lineage I, while the occurrence of lineage II tended to decrease. Despite both lineages I and II being present in house mice in the same building where NW primates are housed, only lineage II was detecte

SUBMITTER: Mehl C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12642703 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature