Final answer:
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM) is a virus that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms consistent with meningitis, and it can result in severe illness in individuals with weakened immune systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM) is 2) A virus that affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. LCM is a rodent-borne viral infectious disease that primarily presents with signs of meningitis, such as fever, headache, nausea, and often involves an inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord. It can also cause a meningoencephalitis, which is an inflammatory response that involves both the brain and the meninges.
Although LCMV can infect humans, it is generally spread by rodents, particularly the common house mouse. Infection with this virus can occur after exposure to fresh urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials of infected rodents. Less commonly, transmission may occur if the virus is inhaled through aerosols or through direct contact with broken skin.
It's important to know that LCMV infection can become severe in individuals with weakened immune systems, making it necessary for those who present with symptoms of meningitis to seek medical attention promptly. Diagnosis often involves testing the cerebrospinal fluid obtained via a lumbar puncture.