LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) is a medical condition characterized by an acute infection caused by the Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV). LCMV is a member of the Arenaviridae family, predominantly transmitted to humans through the urine, saliva, droppings, or nesting materials of infected rodents, particularly the common house mice. Upon transmission, LCMV can cause a range of symptoms in infected individuals, varying from mild flu-like symptoms to more severe diseases affecting the central nervous system.
The infection primarily targets the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and the choroid plexus, the structure responsible for producing cerebrospinal fluid. Symptoms typically include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and malaise. In severe cases, individuals may develop neurological symptoms such as meningitis, encephalitis, seizures, or cranial nerve palsies.
Due to the zoonotic nature of LCMV, people at higher risk of infection are those who live in close proximity to rodents, work in laboratories or animal facilities, or have a compromised immune system. Diagnosis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis can be achieved through laboratory tests, including serology or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the virus or antibodies produced by the infected individual.
Treatment for LCM primarily focuses on alleviating symptoms, as there are no specific antiviral therapies available. Supportive care may include rest, fluids, pain relief, and sedation for severe cases. In most cases, patients with LCM fully recover without any long-term complications. However, in rare instances, severe cases may cause permanent neurological damage, particularly among individuals with compromised immune systems.
Common Misspellings for LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS
- kymphocytic choriomeningitis
- pymphocytic choriomeningitis
- oymphocytic choriomeningitis
- ltmphocytic choriomeningitis
- lgmphocytic choriomeningitis
- lhmphocytic choriomeningitis
- lumphocytic choriomeningitis
- l7mphocytic choriomeningitis
- l6mphocytic choriomeningitis
- lynphocytic choriomeningitis
- lykphocytic choriomeningitis
- lyjphocytic choriomeningitis
- lymohocytic choriomeningitis
- lymlhocytic choriomeningitis
- lym-hocytic choriomeningitis
- lym0hocytic choriomeningitis
- lympgocytic choriomeningitis
- lympbocytic choriomeningitis
- lympnocytic choriomeningitis
- lympjocytic choriomeningitis
Etymology of LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS
The word "lymphocytic choriomeningitis" consists of several components:
1. Lymphocytic: The term "lymphocytic" comes from the Latin word "lympha", which refers to clear water or the lymphatic fluid, and the word "cytic", derived from the Greek "kutos", meaning cell. Thus, "lymphocytic" refers to lymph cells or lymphocytes, which are a type of white blood cell.
2. Choriomeningitis: The term "choriomeningitis" is composed of two Greek roots. "Chorio" is derived from the Greek word "chorion", which means "membrane". "Meningitis" is taken from the Greek word "meninx", which means "membrane" or "cover".
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