Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus: Invisible but not innocent

Abstract

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) attracts significant attention both as an important experimental model system to study acute and persistent viral infections, and as a neglected human pathogen of clinical significance. This review focuses on the basic aspects and recent advances in the molecular and cell biology of LCMV, the outcome of LCMV infection on its natural host with an emphasis on persistent infection and the outcome of LCMV infection in humans. Lastly, we summarize our contribution to current knowledge on LCM virus.