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Arenavirus infection of CNS
Main reservoir is house mouse, but other animals may harbor virus
Virus is spread from animal to human by infected oronasal secretions, urine, or feces
Person-to-person spread is rare
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Symptoms are biphasic with a prodromal phase followed by a meningeal phase
Fever, chills, headache, myalgia, cough, and vomiting, occasionally with lymphadenopathy and maculopapular rash in prodromal phase
Headache, vomiting, lethargy, and variably present meningeal signs in the meningeal phase
Obstructive hydrocephalus is a rare but serious complication
Arthralgias can develop late
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Leukocytosis or leukopenia
Cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytic pleocytosis common
Complement-fixing antibodies appear during second week of infection and may aid in diagnosis
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