What is Arenavirus?
Arenavirus is a negative single-stranded RNA genome virus, generally associated with rodent-transmitted diseases in humans. Humans acquire the infection from the excretion of rodents. Most human infections are asymptomatic, but some may develop an influenza-like illness or meningitis.
What is the mode of transmission?
• Contact with materials contaminated with the excretions of an infected rodent
• Direct contact of abraded or broken skin with rodent excretions
• Aerosol transmission can occur through inhalation of tiny particles soiled with rodent urine or saliva.
Some Arenaviruses, such as Lassa, Lujo, and Machupo viruses, are associated with secondary person-to-person and nosocomial transmission. Person-to-person transmission is associated with: –
• Direct contact with the blood or other body fluids, containing virus particles, of infected individuals.
• Contact with objects contaminated with these materials, such as medical equipment.
What is the incubation period?
The incubation period is about 10-14days.
What are the signs and symptoms of Arenavirus?
It causes two types of clinical presentations:
• Neurological
• Hemorrhagic fever
Neurological: encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, or meningoencephalitis, caused by the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Common symptoms include: –
• Headache
• Photophobia
• Listlessness
• Apathy
• Memory defects
• Confusion
• Subtle mental difficulties
Viral hemorrhagic fever: usually caused by the Lassa virus. Common symptoms include: –
• High Fever
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Asthenia
• Pharyngitis
• Cough
• Retrosternal and abdominal pain
In severe cases: –
• Facial edema is associated with hemorrhagic conjunctivitis
• Hemorrhagic skin rash
• Visceral hemorrhage
• Necrosis of liver and spleen.
What are the investigations of Arenavirus?
Diagnosis is confirmed by: –
• Detecting a rise in antibody titers – Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Virus Isolation
• Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction detection
• Serum aminotransferase testing
What treatment is advised for Arenavirus?
• Ribavirin treatment has been shown to be efficient for Lassa fever.
• No vaccine is currently available.
• Symptomatic management is required.
What are the complications of Arenavirus?
The complications are as follows: –
• Cerebellar ataxia
• Pericarditis
• Orchitis
• Uveitis
• Alopecia
• Small-joint arthritis
• Maternal and fetal losses during Lassa fever
What is the differential diagnosis of Arenavirus?
• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
• Dengue
• Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
• Ebola Virus Infection
• Influenza
• Plague
• Smallpox
• Typhoid Fever
• Yellow Fever
What prevention is helpful for Arenavirus?
• Avoiding close contact with infected people
• Rodent control
• Use of protective clothing and disinfection procedures
What the names of commonly indicated Homeopathic remedies of Arenavirus?
The Homeopathic remedies are as follows: –
• Rhus Toxicodendron
• Gelsemium
• Arsenic album
• Crotalus Horridus
• Eupatorium Perf
