Hydrocephalus complicating lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) disease is a human zoonotic infection acquired by contact with infected mice, hamsters or their excreta. The reported spectrum of LCMV-associated central nervous system (CNS) disease ranges from mild aseptic meningitis to fatal meningoencephalitis. Hydrocephalus is a rare CNS complication of viral infections but there have been a few reports of LCMV causing acquired and congenital hydrocephalus. We believe this complication may not be so rare and report two cases of LCMV-associated hydrocephalus identified within a 12-month period. The first case is a child with transient hydrocephalus complicating LCMV meningitis and the second case is a full term infant born with congenital hydrocephalus and severe chorioretinitis. To our knowledge this is the first case of congenital hydrocephalus caused by LCMV reported in the United States.