lymphocytic choriomeningitis

noun

lymphocytic cho·​rio·​men·​in·​gi·​tis -ˌkȯr-ē-ō-ˌme-nən-ˈjī-təs 

: an acute disease that is caused by an arenavirus (species Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus of the genus Arenavirus), that is characterized by fever, nausea and vomiting, headache, stiff neck, and slow pulse, that is marked by the presence of numerous lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid, and that is transmitted especially by rodents

Examples of lymphocytic choriomeningitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Exposure to their feces, urine or saliva is known to spread hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, tularemia and salmonella. —Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2023

After four people who received organ transplants in Massachusetts and Rhode Island developed a viral infection and three of them died, Dr. Zaki and his colleagues pinpointed the cause as lymphocytic choriomeningitis, a rare rodent-borne virus. —Sam Roberts, New York Times, 4 Dec. 2021

Officials have also identified a rare but infectious illness known as lymphocytic choriomeningitis in the region and linked it to the influx of mice, which are able to carry and pass on the virus. —Washington Post, 22 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin choriomeningitis cerebral meningitis, from chorio- of a membrane resembling the chorion

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

lymphocytic choriomeningitis

noun

: an acute disease that is caused by an arenavirus (species Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus of the genus Arenavirus), is characterized by fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, stiff neck, and slow pulse, is marked by the presence of numerous lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid, and is transmitted especially by rodents